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The coming in of Fastjet is expected to offer cheaper options for people requiring air services

Isdore Guvamombe Tourism Matrix
Over the past few years Zimbabwe has gone into overdrive to open its airspace to more airlines as it works over increasing connectivity to its business ventures and tourism facilities.
The move, according to Tourism and hospitality Industry Minister, Walter Mzembi is to demystify flying as a means of transport as most Zimbabweans view air transport as a preserve of the rich.

Worse still, flying has remained overpriced with Harare -Victoria Falls service for example costing a whooping $500 something that pushes air travel to the resort town beyond the reach of many.

However, the just ended Routes Africa Strategic Forum, Africa’s prime aviation gathering, has marketed the country as a safe and prestige tourist destination and exposed the country’s skies to more inquiries from airlines.

So far, two new budget airlines Fastjet and FlyAfrica are taking to the skies in August and July and are cheap too. Fastjet will launch a twice weekly operation from Dar es Salaam to Harare with tickets available from today for as low as $50 (R532,50 @ R10,65 per dollar excluding government charges and taxes), significantly cheaper than fares from operators offering non-direct flights between the two cities.

The announcement marks the third international route for Fastjet, which already flies from Tanzania to Zambia and South Africa.
Despite strong commercial and cultural ties between the two cities, there is currently no direct air link between Dar es Salaam and Harare. The port at Dar es Salaam is used extensively by Zimbabwean traders and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zanzibar to the east of Tanzania are popular tourist destinations.

Fastjet Interim executive chairman and chief executive Mr Ed Winter said this move is a response to the people of Tanzania and Zimbabwe crying out for a direct air-link between the two countries.

On the other hand, FlyAfrica an indigenous company launches its local, regional and international flights on July 16 and will be a low cost flight. FlyAfrica chairman and chief executive Professor Chakanyuka Karase said all is set for the July 16 launch.

Since the end of the country’s economic hiatus through the introduction of multiple-currency system, more and more airlines have shown interest in Zimbabwe’s airspace.

At the height if the hiatus some airlines left the country and at some stage only eight airlines remained in the country, the lowest ever figure but it has now raised to 15 and might soon reach 20.

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