Air Tanzania is set to resume its direct flights between Dar es Salaam and Moscow on Monday, September 7, 2026, just days after temporarily suspending the route.
The airline announced the resumption after completing what it described as a routine risk assessment of the operating environment along the route, conducted in consultation with relevant authorities.
The airline had announced on September 3 that the service would be temporarily suspended from September 4. However, the suspension was short-lived, with Air Tanzania announcing the following day that flights would return on September 7.
Safety concerns behind the suspension
Air Tanzania has not publicly provided detailed information about the specific risk that led to the temporary suspension.
The decision came amid heightened concerns about aviation safety in Russian airspace, where Ukrainian drone attacks have repeatedly caused disruptions at airports around Moscow. Moscow-area airports have experienced temporary closures and flight delays during periods of increased drone activity.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has also warned airlines and insurers about the risks associated with flying through Russian airspace. Air Tanzania, however, did not directly say that Zelenskyy’s warnings were the reason for its decision.
Flights open for booking
Air Tanzania said bookings have reopened for the affected services, TC422 and TC423.
Passengers who postponed their trips during the suspension can rebook without paying an additional fee. Those who had already received refunds can make new bookings at the prevailing fares.
The airline said it would continue monitoring conditions along the route and would take further action if circumstances change.
Important connection between Tanzania and Russia
The Dar es Salaam–Moscow route is an important direct connection between East Africa and Russia. Air Tanzania launched the service in July 2026, making it the only airline operating a direct scheduled connection between the two countries at the time.
The quick reversal of the suspension means passengers can once again travel directly between the two destinations, although the airline’s continued monitoring shows that safety conditions remain an important consideration.
