Air Zimbabwe has resumed scheduled flights between Johannesburg and its Harare hub.
Several weekly rotations will be offered between Harare’s Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) and Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport (JNB).
The restarted route will operate four times a week. Flights operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The country’s national airline, Air Zimbabwe reintroduced services to Johannesburg on Monday 29 July.
AIR ZIMBABWE’S JOHANNESBURG FLIGHTS
Air Zimbabwe’s flights between Johannesburg and Harare connect two important centres in Southern Africa.
Johannesburg, South Africa’s commercial centre is an important hub for most regional and intercontinental airlines. The city opens up connectivity for business and tourist travellers.
Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city serves as its economic, cultural, and political hub. The city is also the commercial heart of Zimbabwe, with key industries including manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and services.
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REVIVING ZIMBABWE’S ECONOMY
The country is hoping to open up its economy to the outside world. It is using improved air connectivity to kickstart this.
Zimbabwe has long struggled with economic challenges. According to Travel News, the resumption of flights is part of a larger strategy to maintain momentum in the country’s Open Skies Policy and its Open for Business Policy.
TOURISM TO ZIMBABWE
Zimbabwe is a tourist hotspot with scores of tourists from all over the world visiting the African country each year.
The country is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites including Victoria Falls, Khami Ruins, Mana Pools, Matobo Hills and Great Zimbabwe.
AIR ZIMBABWE TO RESUME LONDON FLIGHTS
Air Zimbabwe also plans to resume direct flights between Harare and London.
At the AviaDev conference – held in Windhoek in June – it was revealed that the Harare-London route is Africa’s top unserved route.
High passenger demand exists for flights between this city pair but no service currently exists.
A study undertaken by Airbus found that flights between Harare and London were in demand.
Zimbabwe’s Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona explained at a media briefing on July 21, that London flights would act as a strategic move to enhance trade and leverage Zimbabwe’s central location in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
