Zimbabwe’s national carrier has restarted services between Harare and Johannesburg. The restarted service will operate four times a week. Flights operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Air Zimbabwe reintroduced this service on Monday, July 29.
Important Air Service Resumed
Air Zimbabwe’s flights between Johannesburg and Harare connect two important centers in Southern Africa. The route is an important one, with high demand for point-to-point as well as connecting services.
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.
Johannesburg, South Africa’s commercial center is an important hub for most regional and intercontinental airlines. The city opens up connectivity for business and tourist travelers.
Reintroducing London Services
Plans are also underway to reintroduce services between Harare and London. Zimbabwe’s Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona said that Zimbabwe intends to capitalize on its central location within the South African Development Community (SADC) and to boost trade and tourism links.
“Air Zimbabwe, from July 29 is set to resume the Harare-Johannesburg flight. And we are not going to end there, but we are also going to resume the Harare-London flight,” Mhona said.
Due to political and economic turmoil Zimbabweans are now dispersed throughout the world but many are now based in the United Kingdom. Large numbers of Zimbabweans travel to and from Europe via South Africa, Kenya, Dubai, and Ethiopia. The restart of nonstop services between Harare and London would cut travel times for international visitors and Zimbabweans traveling to and from Zimbabwe.
Additional Aircraft Expected
Zimababwe’s national carrier, Air Zimbabwe, will need a widebody aircraft to be able to operate London services. Mhona told the country’s national assembly last year that an additional aircraft was required. Delivery of this is expected in the very near future.
Furthermore, upgrades to Harare’s Robert Mugabe International Airport mean that the airport is better able to handle increased passenger numbers as well as more aircraft. The airport is actually seeing a growing number of airlines adding scheduled services to Harare. Uganda Airlines will soon launch flights to Harare.
