Published: 10 June 2013

Regional and international airlines continue to scramble for the Zimbabwean route ahead of the forthcoming United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) General Assembly.

An international airline, Fly Emirates will introduce a 354-seat Boeing 777 to ply the Lusaka to Harare route from the 1st of February.

The introduction of the airline is a response to the increased demand as well as the forthcoming UNWTO General Assembly and will bring to 1600 the number of seats per week on the airline’s Lusaka and Harare routes.

Transport, Communications and Infrastructure Development Permanent Secretary, Mr Munesu Munodawafa described the increase in the number of regional and international flights as a sign of confidence in the local aviation industry and an endorsement of the country as a safe destination.

According to the statement released by the airline, the introduction of the aircraft on the Lusaka and Harare route is reflective of the entity’s commitment to quality service.

The new aircraft will replace the 237-seat airbus which has been plying the route.

Over the past few years, the country has seen a growth in air traffic with a number of airlines which had abandoned the route coming back on board.

Some the regional airlines touching down the Harare International Airport include South African Airways, Kenya Airways, Air Botswana, Ethiopian Airways, BA Comair, Air Namibia, South African Airlink and Fly Emirates, among others.
- zbc

You might also want to read this

• International airlines raise red flag over funds
• Airlines getting foreign currency
• Foreign airlines struggle to remit $60m
• Zim targets 40 airlines by 2018
• Zim targets 40 airlines by 2018
• More than ten aspiring local airlines fail to take off