Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve in Mutare
ZIMBABWE’s commitment to opening its skies and enhancing its attractiveness as a business-friendly destination continues to yield positive results, with low-cost carrier FastJet Zimbabwe announcing the introduction of an early morning flight between Johannesburg and Harare.
The new service, which begins on 29 September, will operate daily except Saturdays, providing much-needed flexibility for business travellers and signalling growing investor confidence in the country’s economic environment.
The announcement was made on the sidelines of the Sanganai Hlanganani Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo in Mutare on Thursday, where FastJet Chief Commercial Officer Ms Vivian Ruwuya expressed pride in the airline’s continued expansion.
“As the chief commercial officer, we wish to extend our excitement that our grand announcement is yet another addition to flights. We serve different business markets at FastJet, different segment markets.
We have domestic tourism, you know Victoria Falls is a tourist hub for us, but we also have business people that travel on us. So we spoke to our customers, we listened,” he said.
The new flight, FN8220, will depart Johannesburg at 6.55 am and arrive in Harare at 8.40 am, allowing travellers to maximise their business day in the capital.
The return flight, FN8337, will leave Harare at 7pm and arrive in Johannesburg at 8.50 pm the same evening.
Ms Ruwuya highlighted the strategic value of the new schedule.
“Someone will say, but you already fly between Johannesburg and Harare. This is an addition to the frequencies that we have. We were leaving Johannesburg from afternoon to evening.
So the morning flight now gives the option to a business person to come from Johannesburg at 6.55 in the morning.
You are in Harare at 8.25. You can leave Harare at 7pm the same day and be back in Johannesburg 8.20 in the evening. We call it breakfast in Harare and dinner in Johannesburg,” she said.
She emphasised that the new offering enhances connectivity and flexibility, key factors for business travellers who require efficient and reliable travel options.
“Business travellers can easily come in, have meetings, and go back, just adding to more connectivity, more flexibility, and more offers from FastJet,” she said.
The expansion reflects broader confidence in Zimbabwe’s economy and the Government’s efforts to create an enabling environment for trade and investment.
By improving air links, FastJet is not only responding to market demand but also supporting the strengthening of bilateral trade relations between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
“We are happy, we are proud and we are here for you. We are proudly Zimbabwean and we listen and we care. So at Fastjet we say, Fastjet for everyone! Let’s get it for everyone!” Ms Ruwuya said.
The airline continues to offer competitive fares, flexible booking options, and generous baggage allowances, reinforcing its commitment to making air travel accessible and convenient.
With over 4 million passengers flown since its inception in 2015, multiple industry awards, and IATA operational safety certification, FastJet has established itself as a trusted and reliable carrier within the region.
