Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo ,Zimpapers Business Hub
THE number of flights into Zimbabwe fell by 42 percent to 11 376 in the first quarter of 2025, compared to 19 588 in the preceding quarter, according to the latest data from the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat).
ZimStat reported that both domestic and international flights declined in February, while March saw a recovery. International flights rose from 2 200 in February to 2 522 in March, while domestic flights increased from 1 221 to 1 762 over the same period.
“A total of 11 376 flights were recorded in the first quarter of 2025, marking a decrease of 41,9 percent compared to the 19 588 recorded in the preceding quarter. Consequently, the total number of air passengers decreased by 19,5 percent, from 622 727 to 501 275. All airports recorded reductions in flight activity during the first quarter of 2025,” said 
.
The agency also reported a 38,8 percent decline in air freight, from 4 851 tonnes in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 2 968 tonnes in the first quarter of 2025. Inbound freight dropped by 58,1 percent, while outbound freight declined by 17,3 percent.
ZimStat further noted that the volume of goods transported by rail during the first three months of 2025 decreased by 35,9 percent compared to the previous quarter. Tonnage for the agricultural and industrial sectors fell by 86,7 percent and 1,7 percent respectively, while the energy and mining sector recorded a 5,8 percent decline.
“A total of 58 rail traffic accidents were reported in the first quarter of 2025, representing a 51.7 percent decrease compared to the 120 accidents recorded in the preceding quarter. However, mainline accidents increased by 66,7 percent, rising from 21 to 35,” ZimStat said.
Meanwhile, Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, announced that the tourism industry is now projected to grow by 2,9 percent in 2025, down from the initial forecast of 4,3 percent.
The minister made the announcement on Thursday while presenting the 2025 Mid-Term Budget and Economic Review. He said the downward revision was informed by the sector’s underperformance in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.
Minister Ncube revealed that international tourist arrivals declined by 9 percent to 336 369 during the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
“This development is likely to affect the anticipated recovery of arrivals to pre-Covid levels of 2 million. Similarly, average hotel room occupancy dropped by 2 percent, which could negatively impact the total number of beds sold by year-end. All major tourist resort provinces recorded declines in average room occupancy, except for Bulawayo, Midlands, and Harare provinces,” he said.
