Ngoni Dapira

AIR Zimbabwe yesterday (Tuesday) announced that it will continue with its daily return flights between Harare-Mutare-Victoria Falls introduced during the just ended, historic 18th edition of the Sanganai/ Hlanganani/ Kumbanayi World Tourism Expo hosted by Manicaland.

Tourism and Hospitality deputy Minister Hon Tongai Mnangagwa (raising hat) celebrates the landing of the maiden flight at Grand Reef whilst disembarking the plane.

In a statement the national airline said the decision not only supports tourism but also underscores its vital role in advancing national development goals and connecting communities across the country.

“Air Zimbabwe is pleased to announce the continuation of its Harare–Mutare–Victoria Falls route beyond the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanai World Tourism Expo. Initially launched to facilitate travel for attendees of the 18th Edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani/Kumbanai World Tourism Expo, held at Mutare Sports Club, the service quickly proved essential beyond the scope of the event,” read the statement.

Adding, “As a result, Air Zimbabwe will now operate this route daily. This development reaffirms the national carrier’s commitment to strengthening domestic tourism and promoting regional economic integration.”

Edmund Makona briefing Ministers and stakeholders during a progress update tour at Grand Reef a few weeks before the tourism expo roared to life. 

There are two daily return flights from Harare-Mutare which take 30 minutes oneway. The morning flight from Harare, departure time is 7am and departure time from Mutare is 8am. The second flight in the afternoon departure time from Harare is 15:45, whilst in Mutare its departure is 16:45. A oneway ticket from Harare-Mutare is going for US$85 whilst a return ticket is US$150.

The statement by Air Zimbabwe chief executive officer Edmund Makona had been decided last Friday during the closing ceremony of the international tourism expo, but Makona had told this publication that the aviation stakeholders just needed to agree on certain outstanding issues collectively before announcing prematurely. Initially the pilot flights were supposed to run from 8 – 14 September just for the tourism expo as a trial run.

According to the Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Honourable Felix Mhona, the successful introduction of direct flights to Mutare was a result of the whole of government approach which saw his Ministry and the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry work hand in glove, joining resources to resuscitate Grand Reef Aerodrome, a former military airbase situated 37km west of Mutare with a runway of 1200m x 30m.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa being received by senior government officials and Zanu-PF party members at Grand Reef Aerodrome last week Wednesday.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice-President retired General Constantino Chiwenga also used Grand Reef Aerodrome when they flew from Harare to officially open the tourism expo last week Wednesday, a sign that they were confident with the workmanship report and safety of the runway.

To make the project a success, Air Zimbabwe collaborated with key stakeholders including the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ), National Handling Services (NHS), Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA).

Makona said the collaboration was fundamental in successful delivering the project especially on infrastructure rehabilitation and construction works.

ACZ mechanical engineer, Edmond Chinyadza, who is the project manager for the Grand Reef Aerodrome project said if funds are released on time the construction works left at Grand Reef Aerodrome require not more than seven days to complete the project. “The terminal building is now complete. We are left with some office buildings currently at window level and the car park area. There is not much work left,” said Eng Chinyadza in an interview today.

In the press statement the nationa airline encouraged all travelers and tourism operators to take full advantage of this enhanced service. Air Zimbabwe head ground operations Tafadzwa Zaza said in a bid to enhance customer convenience, the airline also partnered with PayNow to facilitate online payments for pre-booked tickets, allowing passengers to secure their travel easily from anywhere.

The Air Zimbabwe ticket booking office set up in the business centre at Holiday Inn Mutare.

However, customers can also pay directly at the airport whether in Harare, Mutare or Victoria Falls. “If one fails to pre-book online, one can still pay on the day so long the plane is not full. In Mutare we have also partnered with Holiday Inn Mutare where we have set up an office for pre-Booking, but even at Grand Reef Aerodrome one can still pay from there as well. It’s all meant to convenience our clients,” said Zaza.

A 48 seater ATR 42-500 aircraft is being used for the routes. Zaza added that so far all the daily flights during the tourism expo have been faultless.