BY SUKHDEV CHHATBAR
Brussels Airlines has extended its new Kilimanjaro route to year-round operations after selling more than 10,000 tickets in a very short span.
The Belgian national carrier made its direct inaugural flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport (KIA) on June 3, bringing 248 passengers aboard an Airbus A330-300 aircraft and marking a major boost for Tanzania’s northern tourism circuit.
Senior Media Relations Manager Joëlle Neeb told The Arusha News from Brussels that the demand for the new route (Brussels-KIA) had exceeded expectations.
“Since the sales of Kilimanjaro were launched, over 10,000 tickets have been sold. Therefore, Brussels Airlines has decided to make the route year-round instead of seasonal,” Joëlle said.
The route was initially planned as a summer-only service but the airline will now continue operating during winter.
Brussels Airlines CEO Dorothea von Boxberg said Tanzania remains a top safari destination, adding that the airline was proud to connect Kilimanjaro to Brussels and beyond.
The direct service is expected to strengthen tourism, trade and investment links between Tanzania and Europe.
