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Business Writer

ZIMBABWE’S open skies policy would be further enhanced with South Africa’s FlySafair set to launch its median flight into Harare on 2 October.

Additionally,  on the next day, 3 October, the airline is expected to lunch Victoria Falls- Johannesburg flights.

“We are delighted to announce that FlySafair, a leading South African Low-Cost airline, will be launching its inaugural flight into Harare, Zimbabwe on October 2, 2023.

“As part of their expansion into Southern African countries, FlySafair will be adding Harare, Livingstone, Victoria Falls, and Maputo to their route network.”

FlySafair, a subsidiary of Safair Operations, has been a prominent provider of specialized aviation services in Africa since 1965.

The airline has established itself as a major player in the South African aviation industry, even serving as the domestic carrier for the South African national rugby team, the Springboks.

With a mission to provide a low-fare, hassle-free, and punctual travel experience, FlySafair has served over 30 million customers on their domestic routes.

Now, the airline is extending its services to Zimbabwe.

The aviation industry is regarded as the lifeblood of the global economy as it facilitates business efficiency through enhanced safety and security of travelers as well as cargo movement.

The government’s vision to transform the country into an upper middle-income status by 2030, has inspired the drive towards full implementation of the ‘Open Skies Policy’ as guided by the mantra: “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” and the African Union 2063 Agenda towards a Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).

Since 2018 the country embarked on a program to strengthen its aviation systems by transforming the sector through the separation of the regulatory and operational functions of the then Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, which prior to that played a dual role.

This culminated in the establishment of the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) in line with global best practices.

When the Second Republic came into being in 2017, only three airlines were utilising the country’s airspace but now the number has jumped to more than 20 airlines flying into the country.