Air Zimbabwe is set to revitalize domestic travel by launching daily return flights between Harare and Mutare from 8 to 14 September 2025. This strategic move aims to enhance accessibility for travellers attending the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel Expo, scheduled in Mutare from 10 to 12 September, while laying the groundwork for sustainable expansion of the national airline’s route network.
Bridging Cities: Convenience Meets Strategy
The introduction of Harare–Mutare flights offers a swift and efficient travel option, significantly reducing journey time between Zimbabwe’s capital and the scenic Eastern Highlands. The move reflects Air Zimbabwe’s commitment to improving domestic connectivity and supporting the government’s push to stimulate the tourism and hospitality sectors. The initiative is framed as a pilot project, enabling the carrier to assess market demand and explore the route’s viability for permanent inclusion in its services.
Pilot Project with Growth Potential
Air Zimbabwe’s CEO, Edmund Makona, indicated that if demand is sufficient, the Harare–Mutare route could become a long-term fixture in the airline’s network. This measured approach aligns with global best practices among national carriers seeking to strengthen domestic air links without overextending operations.
Perfect Timing for Expo Travel
The new flights are perfectly timed to cater to participants of the Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo—Zimbabwe’s premier tourism event. Held in Mutare from 10 to 12 September 2025, the exhibition is expected to attract international exhibitors, tourism professionals, and visitors, spotlighting the country’s diverse attractions—most notably the natural beauty and investment potential of the Eastern Highlands.
Multidestination Travel Made Easy
Connecting Harare and Mutare through this new route opens possibilities for seamless multi-stop itineraries. Visitors can now move effortlessly between Harare, Mutare, and iconic destinations like Victoria Falls—a boon for tourism. It also supports easier connections for passengers from eastern Zimbabwe to regional and international flights via Harare, strengthening the country’s air travel ecosystem.
Collaboration Across Stakeholders
The rollout of these flights didn’t happen in isolation. Air Zimbabwe collaborated closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, Airports Company of Zimbabwe, National Handling Services, and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. This joint effort has ensured regulatory compliance, infrastructure readiness, and a hospitality standard befitting travellers from home and abroad.
Modern Booking Meets Efficiency
In a nod to evolving consumer preferences, Air Zimbabwe has partnered with PayNow, enabling online booking and payment options for travellers. This digital innovation reflects wider trends in African travel, where mobile and touch‑free payment systems are increasingly becoming the norm, contributing to a streamlined customer experience.
Supporting Tourism Growth and Economic Impact
By facilitating easier travel to the Eastern Highlands—and by extension, to the Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo—the airline is reinforcing its role as a dynamo of national tourism. These flights are not just about convenience; they represent a deliberate push to support economic development, create jobs, and attract investment to Manicaland province and beyond. By improving accessibility to key regions, Air Zimbabwe is solidifying its role as a strategic enabler in Zimbabwe’s tourism ecosystem.
A Bold Statement for the Future
As Zimbabwe and the broader Southern African region continue to recover and evolve post-pandemic, the airline’s willingness to innovate and expand services offers a positive omen. The Harare–Mutare flights serve as a tangible commitment to regional integration, customer-centric service, and growth. Whether this route becomes permanent will hinge on actual passenger uptake, but its very launch is a bold sign of recommitment to domestic travel and tourism infrastructure.
Closing Thoughts
The launch of daily return flights between Harare and Mutare stands out as a timely, strategic initiative by Air Zimbabwe to capitalize on the Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo and test future growth pathways. Integrating modern booking tools and partnering with key government bodies showcases a forward-looking model for African national carriers. Should the route prove successful, it may well become a defining component of Zimbabwe’s domestic aviation network—offering smoother travel, promoting multi-destination tourism, and boosting the country’s economic and regional connectivity.
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