Sundaymail Editor
Harmony Agere
QATAR AIRWAYS’ arrival in Zimbabwe on Friday has been described as a major milestone in the growth of local aviation and tourism industries following targeted policies under the Second Republic.
The airline, which will be operating the Harare-Lusaka route three times a week, is the 15th international airline to operate in Zimbabwe.
It joins Lufthansa Airlines, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, South African Airways, ComAir, British Airways, RwandAir and Air Tanzania that are already operating in the country. Zimbabwe’s own flag carrier’s revival is progressing well following the acquisition of two Boeing aircraft from Malaysia.
The arrival of Qatar Airways in Zimbabwe comes at a time when the country’s airports are going through major expansion and facelifts to increase their visitor handling capacity.
Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu said Qatar Airways will open the country to 130 destinations, including the Middle East market.
“We welcome the airline’s expansion to Zimbabwe as a sign of renewed hope in the country’s aviation sector and tourism sector. Currently, as we are working towards recovering from Covid-19, the coming of Qatar Airways is a timely boost towards our plans in the international and local tourism sector.
“We hope to change and improve the outlook of the visitor traffic from the Middle East market. The Middle East market constitutes 1 percent of our international arrivals and we would like to see that number grow,” he said.
The Government, he added, will be stepping up efforts to engage clients in Qatar and the Middle East to find ways of improving travel and tourism between the two countries.
Airports Company of Zimbabwe Board chairperson Mr Dave Popatlal said the Government plans to increase its airports’ visitor handling capacity from the current two million to six million visitors.
“Qatar Airways comes at a time when we are seized with upgrading and refurbishment of our flagship airport. This process has been going on well and is now at an advanced stage. Our airports in Zimbabwe are handling nearly two million visitors per year and with the expansion and refurbishment projects around the country, we will have capacity to handle six million visitors per year.”
Mr Popatlal said the open for business motto is reflected in policy and tangible results such as the coming on board of the new airline.
Qatar Airways vice president for Africa Mr Hendrik du Pretz said the Harare-Lusaka route will help the airline build its connectivity to the African region, while connecting passengers to over 130 destinations globally.
“We believe in Africa’s aviation potential and will work to establish long-term partnerships in Harare,” he said.
“After all, connecting people around the world is the nature of our business. And we are thrilled to have Harare as part of the Qatar Airways story, which as many of you know will experience one of its most exciting chapters next year as official partner and official airline of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.”
According to sources in the aviation industry, two more high-flying airlines from Europe will be coming into Zimbabwe early next year.
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