While Zanzibar attracts thousands of travelers each year in search of heavenly beaches, bad news risks disrupting this dream in 2025. Air France and KLM have in fact announced the temporary suspension of their flights to the island between March and May, leaving questions surrounding the reasons for this decision. Behind the scenes, the new rules imposed by Air France are already causing anger and incomprehension among tourism professionals.
A strategic suspension in the context of controversial new rules
Air France justifies this suspension by necessary adjustments in its commercial policy and its operational capacity. However, it comes at a time when the airline has implemented strict new rules regarding the management of flight changes and the options available to travel agents and passengers in the event of disruptions.
Now, for long-haul flights, if a delay is less than 5 hours, passengers can no longer request a free change or cancellation without charge. For medium-haul flights, this limit is reduced to 3 hours. This measure limits the alternatives available to travel agents, who must reorganize reservations in the same fare class as that initially planned. If this class is no longer available, agents are required to reprice the ticket: the customer will then have to pay the difference, even when the change is announced more than 30 days before the flight date.
Reactions from tourism professionals
These new instructions provoke a reaction from tourism professionals, who see a reduction in the options traditionally granted to passengers in the event of disruption. A travel agent, who preferred to remain anonymous, deplores:
“Air France created on its own, like a big company, a new regulation which plans to impose all modifications without consent. It’s surreal. »
Previously, passengers and travel agents had the option to accept the proposed change, request an alternative or cancel without charge. Today, this flexibility seems compromised, adding additional constraints for customers and intermediaries in the sector.
The temporary suspension of flights to Zanzibar is seen as a blow to the island’s tourism economy. Already penalized by compulsory travel insurance required by local authorities, Zanzibar risks suffering a further drop in attendance. Professionals in the sector, accustomed to one-off adjustments, point out Air France’s lack of consultation in this decision.
One of them, particularly critical, testifies to the growing difficulties:
“We’re facing a lot of changes lately, and at the same time, these carriers are imposing rules on us above ground. »
This frustration reflects a feeling shared by many tourism stakeholders, who fear worsening economic difficulties.
Impact on tourism in Zanzibar
Zanzibar, renowned for its idyllic beaches and rich cultural heritage, is among the top destinations for European travelers. The decision by Air France and KLM to suspend their flights between March and May 2025 could further complicate access to the island. For European tour operators, already hesitant in the face of local constraints, this interruption could further slow down demand.
Local players will have to find alternatives to maintain the tourist influx, while professionals in the sector continue to deplore decisions taken without real dialogue with the parties concerned.
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