Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
CABINET yesterday approved the proposed Air Services Development Plan, which seeks to develop the country as a destination of choice while increasing tourist arrivals by boosting flight connectivity within Africa and beyond.
Addressing a post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said the plan was presented by Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona.
He said the plan seeks to identify potential tourist and business source markets for Zimbabwe and will be utilised in the preparation of business cases for routes that can be presented to airlines, preparing for meetings with airlines and preparing for industry events/trade shows.
“The nation is informed that the Air Services Development Plan was developed in order to guide air services development at Victoria Falls Airport and Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport,” said Dr Muswere.
“Cabinet advises that the Air Services Development Plan is informed by the following factors, assessment of demand and supply factors at Victoria Falls and Harare, infrastructure assessment at both airports and the enabling environment for aviation transport in Zimbabwe,” he added.
The Air Services Development Plan provides for a clear air route development strategy, which provides an overall strategy for air services development for Victoria Falls and Harare as well as route development strategy by country and by airline.
He said the plan recognises the importance of co-ordination by both the public and private sectors in active route development by undertaking engagements with potential airlines and to that end, it proposes strategies for co-ordinating the two sectors in the development of air services in Zimbabwe.
“Furthermore, in order to actualise the objectives of the Air Services Development Plan, an institutional co-ordination framework comprising the Air Service Development Steering Committee and the Technical Committee was established,” said Dr Muswere.
“The role of the Air Services Development Steering Committee shall, among others, be to oversee the development and technical execution of the Air Services Development Plan, as well as to promote the development of new air routes and the success of the existing ones.”
He added that the proposed plan will strive to develop Zimbabwe as a destination of choice and increase tourism arrivals into and within the country.
“Cabinet acknowledges the centrality of communication strategies in the implementation of the Air Service Development Plan,” said Dr Muswere.
Among the airlines already flying into Zimbabwe’s prime tourism destination are Eurowings Discover, MackAir, Cemair, Safair, Airlink, Air Zimbabwe, South Africa Airways, Fastjet, Kenya Airways, Fly Namibia and Ethiopian Airways, a direct result of the Second Republic’s open skies policy.
Since the implementation of the Open Skies Policy, which enhances the country’s attractiveness to potential investors, more airlines have been attracted to fly into the country.
When the Second Republic started in 2017, just three airlines were utilising the country’s airspace and in five years, over 20 airlines are now flying into Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter