Fastjet beefs up fleet, expands route network

Fastjet Zimbabwe

FASTJET Zimbabwe yesterday unveiled the first of three Embraer 120 aircrafts, which will ply the Harare-Hwange and Harare-Kariba routes.

The 30-seater planes are part of the airline’s strategy to expand flights across Zimbabwe’s prime tourist destinations. Fastjet announced yesterday that flights on the new routes will begin on March 27.

The airline’s spokesperson Nunurai Ndawana said the firm was delighted to welcome the aircraft. The airline already operates frequencies on the Harare-Victoria Falls and Harare-Bulawayo routes.

“We are delighted to welcome this aircraft to serve our domestic new routes to Kariba and Hwange National Park,” Ndawana told reporters in Harare.

“Air connectivity is a key enabler for tourism development, and we continue to demonstrate our commitment to the development of tourism in Zimbabwe and the region. We are finalising our preparations for the launch of the flights to Kariba and Hwange National Park.

“The arrival of this aircraft will see us concluding the mandatory regulatory processes in operating flights to these strategic destinations in the development of tourism in Zimbabwe.”

Regionally, Fastjet Zimbabwe operates flights into South Africa and Botswana, but has plans to expand regional flights depending on demand.

In a related development, the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) said this week it will open new wings that have been constructed under the ongoing US$153 million expansion of Robert Mugabe International Airport to pave way for the rehabilitation of old infrastructure. The expansion is part of a broad plan that has seen government investing at least US$330 million into the revamp of major airports.

ACZ chief executive officer (CEO) Tawanda Gusha told the Zimbabwe Independent this week that the firm was finalising installation of baggage handling equipment at the expanded airport that is almost complete.

“We are on course as we speak,” Gusha said. “Currently, we are finalising the installation of baggage handling equipment. We are also expecting to receive aerobridge equipment in March and by May we would start the installation. Hopefully we will open the new wings in June this year. We will move to the new wings to pave way for the rehabilitation of old infrastructure, and we are confident of meeting that target.”

Gusha said the consignments that ACZ is expecting was acquired from China and Singapore.

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