By Wallace Mawire
Fastjet Zimbabwe has launched additional domestic flights to Kariba and Hwange National Park in a move expected to enhance convenience and connectivity for the business and tourism sectors in the country.
The new service brings to five the domestic destinations that the airline now operates in Zimbabwe.Flights to Kariba and Hwange are part of the airline’s domestic route development strategy aimed at improving air connectivity in Zimbabwe.Flights to the resort areas will be operated by a 30-seater Embraer EMB120 aircraft.
Vivian Ruwuya,Fastjet Zimbabwe,Chief Commercial Officer said at the launch in Kariba on 4 April,2023 that the successful landing of their flight FN6201 from Harare to Kariba is part of their joint official launches of flights to Kariba and Hwange National Park.
‘This is the first time in our history as fastjet Zimbabwe that wehave launched flights to two new destinations on the same day. Flights from Harare to Kariba will operate daily departing the Harare arriving in Kariba in the morning.The flight also departs from Kariba in the afternoon,”Ruwuya said.
She also said that this comes after several years of no flight connectivity to connect Kariba to one of Africa’s leading tourist resorts of Victoria Falls.The routes will be served by a fleet of Embraer EMB120 Brasilia
aircraft.
“Known for their robustness, jet-like comfort and generous legroom, the Embraer EMB120 aircraft are suited for flights to destinations like Kariba and Hwange National Park.The launch of these two new routes once again demonstrates our commitment to connectivity and the development of aviation in Zimbabwe
and the region,” Ruwuya said.
In 2022, Fastjet introduced flights from Victoria Falls to Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga, South Africa and another flight service to Maun in Botswana, the home of the Okavango Delta.
She said that the launched flights to Kariba and Hwange National Park join the Fastjet growing network of flights that are designed to offer travellers seamless connections as they explore the beautiful tourism resorts of the country, Zimbabwe, A World of Wonders, and Southern Africa as a region.
Ruwuya called for joint efforts from various stakeholders who include the tourism, hospitality and business community to promote and market the destinations as they strive to attract more passengers and guests in visiting both Kariba and Hwange National Park.
“One key aspect of collaboration we must all provide is seamless customer service. By working closely together, we must provide an environment that provides a seamless, hassle-free environment for our mutual customers. From their Fastjet flight, to immigration, to hotels, activities and curio markets, let us work together and provide an enjoyable value chain for our mutual customers,” Ruwuya said. She also said that using their linked flight connections, it is now possible for tourists from South Africa and beyond to visit Kariba and Hwange National Park with a connection in Victoria Falls.
Also according to Ruwuya,as a result, the 1650-meter-long runway at Kariba airport, now allows them to connect Kariba and its many offerings to Harare, Victoria Falls; and beyond. She said the initiative would enhance development of aviation and tourism in Zimbabwe and the region.
The launched flights are expected to offer travel convenience for business executives who are now able to travel in the morning for early meetings and depart in the afternoon.
According to Ruwuya, the airline is also looking at offering more destinations to all the sectors that cover domestic tourism sector including services for foreign tourists coming into Zimbabwe, improving revenue generation in the country.
