Online Reporter
The Herald
18 December 1992
PROSPECTS for an air service link between Mutare and Harare appear almost certain early next year after Air Zimbabwe gave the go-ahead for such a service to an independent operator recently.
Air Zimbabwe assistant general manager (marketing) Cde Kennedy Mandevhani last week said that the national airline had given its approval to Air Tabex to start such a service.
Details of the aircraft type and flight days have not yet been finalised but an approximate fare based on Air Zimbabwe’s tariff structure of $272 economy class return was likely to be charged, the aviation official said.
Grand Reef airstrip. 17 km from the city centre, would be used. Air Tabex (Pvt) Ltd, which is owned by a leading tobacco firm in the capital, Tabex (Pvt) Ltd, is understood to have asked Air Zimbabwe to allow it to operate the route for up to two years before any other competitor is allowed to enable the company to re-coup its capital costs.
Cde Mandevhani said this had been acknowledged and explained that should Air Zimbabwe decide to move thereafter; it would consider extending the service to Beira in Mozambique.
The national airline’s planning manager, Cde Jacob Mungoshi, last year said because of the economic liberalisation programme, the corporation was inviting small independent operators to take up some of the domestic routes and possibly open up flights to Mutare.
The national airline would provide marketing services, sell tickets and handle passengers at Harare Airport on behalf of the small operators.
The city’s business community and other high class travellers last month appealed to President Mugabe for a scheduled air service to Harare.
With peace prospects in Mozambique almost certain, and opening up of the Africa University, Forestry Industry Training Centre and the Leopard Rock Hotel, all on the periphery of the city, the introduction of scheduled air service will be a major boost to most travellers.
The service would also be of great use to the tourists visiting the province’s unique scenic resorts.
Lessons for today:
- The story highlights Zimbabwe’s early 1990s push toward economic liberalisation, allowing private operators like Air Tabex to run domestic routes. The Harare–Mutare service was seen as a major step forward for business, education, and tourism, with potential regional expansion into Mozambique once peace was secured.
- Air Zimbabwe approved Air Tabex (Pvt) Ltd, a private company owned by a tobacco firm, to run the service. Flights would use Grand Reef airstrip, located 17 km from Mutare’s city centre.
- Air Tabex requested two years of exclusive operation to recover its capital costs before competitors could enter the route. Air Zimbabwe agreed to this and promised to provide marketing, ticket sales, and passenger handling at Harare Airport on behalf of the small operator.
- The arrangement reflected Zimbabwe’s economic liberalisation programme, which encouraged independent operators to take up domestic routes. Air Zimbabwe indicated that in the future, the service could be extended to Beira, Mozambique, especially with peace prospects in Mozambique improving.
