Zambia Airways has resumed scheduled services to Zimbabwe after a huge gap of 27 years. The inaugural flight from Lusaka Kenneth Kaunda International Airport was greeted by a ceremonial water cannon salute at the Harare Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
The flight was welcomed by government officials, news reporters, and various aviation, hospitality, and tourism stakeholders.
The airline deployed its DHC-8-400, the only aircraft in its fleet on the route with plans to operate thrice weekly services. The airline further plans to offer 1.9 million seats between Harare and Lusaka by 2028.
Just last month, Zambia Airways received its Foreign Operator Permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe giving it a go-ahead to launch scheduled flights to Harare marking its re-entry into international market after a span of over three decades.
Zambia Airways had been liquidated for more than 25 years but resumed operations on December 1, 2021, with the help of Ethiopian Airlines and the Zambian Industrial Development Corporation. Since then, it has been operating flights on domestic routes.
The airline is hopeful, that this route will significantly boost trade, tourism, and business opportunities between the two neighbouring countries.