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Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
Over 20 airlines are now flying into Zimbabwe as the Government’s commitment to implement the Open Skies Policy continues to bear fruit.
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 came into being in 2017, just three airlines were utilising the country’s airspace, and but in five years, over 20 airlines are flying into Zimbabwe.
Some of the airlines include Fastjet, MackAir, Emirates, Qatar, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, South African Airways, Airlink, Air Botswana, Air Malawi, Zambia Airways, RwandAir, Eswatini Air, Martin Air Cargo and Air Tanzania, among others.
On Wednesday, Eurowings Discover, which is wholly owned by the Lufthansa Group and serving long-haul leisure destinations, resumed services to Victoria Falls.
It will be operating all year round instead of the initial seasonal service that it planned to do.
Eurowings Discover is expected to fly into Victoria Falls three times a week using the Airbus 330 aircraft.
All flights are operated via Windhoek, Namibia.
The route was first launched in March 2022 as a seasonal flight, which would operate until November.
However, in a move set to boost the country’s tourism industry, Eurowings Discover announced that Victoria Falls would no longer be a seasonal destination, and flights will now be operated all year.
The move, though welcome to Zimbabwe, comes at the cost of another destination, as the seasonal flights to Nelspruit launched last year and operated from November to March this year, will be discontinued due to low demand.
Posting on its Twitter handle, the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) said the move to abandon the seasonal flights was on account of high demand and the growing popularity of the destination among tourists.
“We are pleased to announce that Eurowings Discover resumed services to Victoria Falls today (Wednesday) and will be operating all year round instead of the initial seasonal service.
“This decision has been made due to the high demand and the growing popularity of the destination among tourists,” read the post.
On Tuesday, Zambia Airways returned to Zimbabwe for the first time in 27 years.
The daily flights are expected to promote tourism, business and enhance travel between the two neighbouring countries.
The flights started on Tuesday, using a 77-seater Dash 8 Q400 aircraft flying between Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka and Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
Eswatini Air, also started flying into the country on Monday, using two ERJ145s aircraft that link Manzini with Johannesburg and Harare.
It will start with flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
In a statement yesterday, the Air Traffic Controllers Association said: “A great week for Zimbabwe aviation. Today (yesterday), Ethiopian Airways introduced a fifth flight to Victoria Falls and JM Nkomo international airports.
“On Wednesday 29th March 2023, Eurowings Discover resumed the Frankfurt to Victoria Falls flights. In a vote of confidence for the country’s aviation system, the service to Victoria Falls has graduated from seasonal schedule to throughout the year.
“This comes after the launch of Zambian Airways flights, introduction of fastjet flights to Hwange and Kariba and additional flights to Cape Town from RGM Airport by RwandAir.
“As the country begins to reap the benefits of a firm post-Covid-19 recovery and growth, kudos to all stakeholders involved in facilitating the development of Zimbabwe aviation.”
The renewed interest in Zimbabwe as a destination is a show of confidence in the local tourism industry, and aviation market in general, by foreign airlines and the international community.
Early this month, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, told the National Assembly that Air Zimbabwe was expecting delivery of a new plane anytime soon.
There are also plans to resuscitate the London route following the clearance of the International Air Transport Association debt.
Minister Mhona said this while responding to a question from Cde Nyarai Tsuura (Zanu PF) who wanted clarity on the Government’s position on expanding the national air transport fleet.
“I am glad to explain that the Government has got a very good policy with regards to air transport,” said Minister Mhona.
“Government has plans to procure aeroplanes to resuscitate Air Zimbabwe. I am sure by the end of this month (March), we will be receiving an aeroplane ERJ141, which is a 50-seater and it will be very helpful for the short routes, especially in the region.”
Minister Mhona said they were also focusing on expanding domestic and international route networks, with focus now on servicing the London route.
“We would also like to resuscitate our London route because we very much want to revive our Western routes in line with our re-engagement policy,” he said.
Air Zimbabwe cleared the US$1,4 million debt it owed to IATA and much focus is now on expanding the international route network and tap into global partnerships.
Online Reporter