Brussels Airlines Unveils New Longest Route to Kilimanjaro

Industry Insights from Next Move Strategy Consulting

Brussels Airlines will inaugurate what will become its longest scheduled service, launching twice-weekly flights between Brussels and Kilimanjaro International Airport (Tanzania) from 3 June 2026. The carrier will operate the 3,657-nautical-mile sector on Wednesdays and Saturdays using an Airbus A330-300 configured with 288 seats across Business, Premium Economy and Economy cabins.

A Targeted Push into East Africa

The Kilimanjaro link increases Brussels Airlines’ footprint in sub-Saharan Africa to 18 destinations and expands its East African presence to five cities alongside Nairobi, Kigali, Entebbe and Bujumbura. The service is positioned to capture leisure traffic driven by access to safari corridors and major natural attractions such as Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area.

Chief Executive Dorothée von Boxberg described Sub-Saharan Africa as the airline’s “second home,” saying the carrier was “happy to add an attractive destination to our network on this beautiful continent.” She added: “Tanzania is a top destination for safaris, and we’re proud to contribute to the local economy by connecting Kilimanjaro to Brussels and beyond.”

Route Highlights at a Glance

• Service start: 3 June 2026.

• Frequency: Twice weekly (Wednesdays and Saturdays).

• Sector length: 3,657 nm.

• Equipment: Airbus A330-300, 288 seats (Business, Premium Economy, Economy).

• Network impact: Sub-Saharan network grows to 18 destinations; East Africa presence reaches five cities.

Wider Network Context

The Kilimanjaro launch forms part of Brussels Airlines’ broader summer 2026 network plan, which also includes capacity increases on short-haul routes to Spain, Portugal, the Czech Republic and Hungary, together with an expanded long-haul service to Sierra Leone. The carrier, a member of the Lufthansa Group that uses Brussels as a European gateway to Africa, had recorded a “successful summer 2025,” which underpins its decision to pursue this eastward expansion.

The move follows Brussels Airlines’ withdrawal from the Angolan market last year, when it ended the long-running Brussels–Luanda service, previously the carrier’s longest route.

Risks and Operational Considerations

Launching and sustaining the carrier’s longest scheduled sector brings notable commercial and operational risks. Higher fuel burn and increased crew costs will place pressure on aircraft utilisation and margins, particularly during periods of softer demand. The route’s heavy reliance on leisure and safari travellers leaves revenue exposed to seasonality and regional geopolitical fluctuations, while relatively limited premium traffic could compress yields versus the airline’s more established African markets. Operational disruptions on such an extended sector could also have cascading effects across the network.

Next Move Strategy Consulting – View Point

Brussels Airlines’ Kilimanjaro service is a clear strategic bet on leisure-led demand and the carrier’s role as a European gateway into East Africa. By adding a tourism focused long-haul link, the airline both deepens its regional footprint and differentiates its route network from carriers concentrating on West and Central African hubs. However, the commercial success of the route will hinge on managing elevated operating costs, smoothing seasonal demand swings, and capturing enough connecting traffic via Brussels to support sustainable yields.

Source: Aerospace Global News

Prepared by: Next Move Strategy Consulting