According to industry sources, it is understood that Ethiopian Airlines will introduce a new link to Victoria Falls from Addis Ababa in the first half of next year, bringing new connectivity options into the Zimbabwe market.
The anticipated arrival of the first AirAsia X long-haul, low-cost flights at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport on the island of Mauritius in October this year is just one good example of the leisure potential that Africa holds for future air service connectivity.
Since Zimbabwe hosted delegates at Routes Africa in June 2014, what was then a building site at Victoria Falls International Airport has now turned into a brand new modern facility ready to host global visitors.
WATCH exclusive content from this year's World Routes Strategy Summit. Here we highlight the key factors that are holding back fastjet in in its ambition to develop a pan-African network from the 'Airline Challenges & Growth Concerns' panel session.
The expanding airline already operates into Zimbabwe from the Dar Es Salaam base of its original Tanzania business, but the arrival of the new aircraft represents a significant step forward in its activities in southern Africa. It will initially use the aircraft to launch domestic flights between Harare and Victoria Falls.
VIDEO: After fastjet’s announcement at Routes Africa that it will introduce flights between Dar es Salaam and Harare, David Chawota, chief executive officer of the Zimbabwe CAA is confident more air services will follow.
The Zimbabwe operation of flyafrica will commence flights from July 16, 2014 initially offering a three times weekly offering on the Victoria Falls – Johannesburg.
Speaking to The HUB Daily on the sidelines of this year’s Routes Africa forum in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Peter Mukarkate, the airline’s general manager passenger and cargo confirmed that the airline has recently concluded a detailed analysis of its markets and identified the capacity niches which would best fit demand on its network.
The landing strip, the foundations of which are already in place, and associated taxiways, in addition to the extending the existing apron area will enable the airport to handle aircraft up to Boeing 747 size and accept direct flights from destinations across a range of long-haul markets, including Europe, opening the doors for the introduction of potential tour operator packages from key markets such as the UK.
The hosting of Routes Africa, the largest route development forum in the region, is a clear endorsement of the ambitions of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe to attract new airlines into the country and improve connectivity in a continent in desperate need of better air links both internally and into other parts of the world.
Victoria Falls Airport is Zimbabwe’s gateway to the Falls, and handled more than 220,000 passengers in 2013. The Falls’ stunning views, adventure activities and nearby wildlife parks are prime drawcards for tourists, yet a major overhaul of Zimbabwe’s aviation and tourism sectors aims to broaden the region’s appeal further.
