Air Zimbabwe Rolls Out Temporary Harare–Mutare Flights Ahead of Major Tourism Expo
In support of the forthcoming Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel Expo, Air Zimbabwe has announced a new programme that will include daily return flights between Harare and Mutare from September 8 to 14, 2025. The airline’s larger plan to increase its route network and improve domestic connectivity in advance of the well-known travel event scheduled for 10-12 September is in keeping with this experimental project.
Air Zimbabwe Rolls Out Temporary Harare–Mutare Flights Ahead of Major Tourism Expo
Edmund Makona, the airline’s CEO, explained that the flights were a test run to determine whether the Harare–Mutare corridor could be viable in the long run. Makona clarified, “We are assessing the market, comprehending demand, and investigating the route’s long-term feasibility.” The airline is prepared to provide this route going forward if demand is high enough.
The service intends to make travel simple for attendees of the Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo by connecting Harare and Mutare. Air travel is a desirable substitute for lengthy road trips, and this is the first time the tourist showcase will be held in Mutare, a city in the picturesque Eastern Highlands.
Improved connectivity is another benefit of the timetable; flights will link with Air Zimbabwe’s Harare–Victoria Falls route, allowing passengers to visit several locations in a single, smooth trip. Travellers leaving Mutare will also be able to access regional and international planes via Harare.
To make sure the flight service operates smoothly and safely during the trial period, Air Zimbabwe has worked closely with important aviation and tourism stakeholders, such as the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ), National Handling Services (NHS), the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), and the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ).
The airline has partnered with PayNow to facilitate safe and easy online payments for flights that have been pre-booked, hence increasing accessibility to ticket purchasing
The Eastern Highlands region is receiving much-needed attention because of its breathtaking natural features, which include the Vumba Mountains, Mutarazi Falls, Chimanimani Mountains, and Nyanga National Park. The Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo’s hosting here highlights initiatives to broaden the focus of tourism beyond well-known locations like Victoria Falls.
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Zimbabwe’s economy depends heavily on tourism, and this rise bolsters government initiatives to encourage both regional and sustainable domestic travel.
More than 300 businesses and representatives from at least six nations, including Ghana, Indonesia, Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and Malawi, have confirmed their attendance at the Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo, demonstrating the high level of interest in the event.
The effects are already being felt in Mutare’s hospitality industry. During the Expo period, lodging is apparently completely booked, with nightly rates starting at about $100 USD. To accommodate the increase in tourists, local authorities are urging homeowners to provide bed and breakfast choices.
This short-term route is a component of a larger initiative in Zimbabwe’s tourist and aviation industries. To highlight each province’s distinctive landscapes and attractions, the government is considering switching up the Expo site.
The new flights also represent a resurgence for Air Zimbabwe. This pilot illustrates the national airline’s increased emphasis on innovation and service development as it navigates beyond operational and financial issues.
After the Expo is over, the airline will examine demand and passenger numbers to determine whether the Harare–Mutare route should be offered regularly. If the route is effective, it might greatly boost Eastern Zimbabwe’s economic activity, tourism attractiveness, and regional integration.
The pilot flights serve as a demonstration of effective multi-destination travel in the interim and serve as a reminder of the critical role that aviation plays in bridging Zimbabwe’s cultural, commercial, and opportunity gaps.
