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Walter Muchinguri Recently in Victoria Falls—

Ethiopian Airlines could be the first airline to introduce flights into Victoria Falls following the upgrade of the Victoria Falls International Airport which was officially opened last week.Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe general manager Mr David Chawota said that Ethiopian Airlines executives had indicated that they want to start operating during the first quarter of next year.

“Our discussions with the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines are at a very advanced stage to an extent that they think by the first two weeks of April next year they will be able to start operations,” he said.

He added that they had also indicated that they would not be flying less than three times a week and would be using their big planes.

Mr Chawota said as a regulator they were naturally elated at the move taken by Ethiopian Airlines.

“So here are the first movers in so far as utilisation of the airport is concerned so we are excited not only because there is improved connectivity between Victoria Falls and Addis but also because we have a facility that could be put to good use,” he said.

Ethiopian Airways currently has flights between Harare and Addis Ababa.

Meanwhile, Rwandair says it is ready to start introducing flights between Harare and Kigali via Lusaka.

Rwandair CEO Mr John Mirenge said they have been granted everything that they needed in terms of rights.

“The authorities here have been very helpful and as promised the ball is now firmly in our court,” he said.

He said that they were now preparing to launch their operations and are looking at initially introducing four flights per week using their 2 class 76 seater Bombardier CRJ900-NR aircraft.

“Depending on how we will do on the route we will upgrade to our Boeing 737,” he said.

The entry of Rwandair into Zimbabwe will cut the time taken to travel between the two cities considerably.

“It took us 22 hours to get here but a direct flight will be considerably shorter,” said Mr Mirenge. Rwandair will become the 18th foreign airline flying into Harare.

Apart from the Harare route Rwandair currently flies to 18 destination in Africa and Dubai. It is also planning to launch Mumbai, India and London.

Mr Chawota said that the coming in of Rwandair was an indication of Zimbabwe’s commitment to fulfilling the 1999 Yamoussoukro Decision.

“Rwandair will provide an alternative route to Dubai and Europe,” he said.