New bird in the skies

4.30pm.
The bombardier will be servicing the Maputo–Harare via Beira route three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. The route also includes Vilanculos, a coastal town in Inhambane Province, which is Mozambique’s premier tourist resort.
On its arrival, the 72-seater single-class plane, which had 28 paying customers on board, received the traditional water cannon salute reserved for planes making their inaugural flights into the country.
It returned to Maputo with almost the same number of paying customers.
Apart from the paying customers, there were also a number of dignitaries on board including Zimbabwean Ambassador to Mozambique Retired Brigadier-General Agrippa Mutambara and LAM board member Mr Carlos Fumo and commercial director Mr Claudio Banze.
Ministry of Transport, Communications and Infrastructure Development permanent secretary Mr Munesu Munodawafa welcomed the return of LAM.
He said it would go a long way in strengthening the relations between Zimbabwe and Mozambique, which share a rich history. “Today we experience route expansion, increased connectivity and development,” he said.
Mr Munodawafa.
“LAM will connect Harare and Maputo, Harare and Beira and I am advised that plans of connectivity are at an advanced stage to include Nampuala.
“This movement of traffic between Zimbabwe and Mozambique was long overdue and let me express my sincere gratitude and congratulations to LAM.” Mr Munodawafa said the increased connectivity and route expansion provided by the service would not only enhance trade and tourism between Zimbabwe and Mozambique but the region.
“SADC as a region needs greater connectivity and co-operation to create prosperity,” he said.
He said Government would take a leaf from the LAM experience in its quest to revive Air Zimbabwe.
“I am advised that LAM and Air Zimbabwe are already engaging each other on code sharing arrangement,” he said.
“I urge Air Zimbabwe to ensure that the negotiations are concluded as soon as possible. Air Zimbabwe has the full backing of Government in this regard.”
Mr Fumo said that the re-establishment of air service between Zimbabwe and Mozambique was in keeping with his airline’s strategy to link all the capital cities within the southern African region.