Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Tongai Mafidi Mnangagwa (second from left) speaks at the Fastjet stand at Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe World Tourism Expo, at Gymkhana Events and Conference Centre in Masvingo
BY MUNYARADZI BLESSING DOMA in MASVINGO
Fastjet has emerged as a key strategic partner in Zimbabwe’s tourism sector, having facilitated more than four million passengers since commencing operations in the country in 2015.
Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Tongai Mafidi Mnangagwa, who represented Minister Barbara Rwodzi, said the airline had become an important partner in opening Zimbabwe to regional and international travellers.
He said Fastjet’s decision to extend the deployment of its Airbus A320 capacity during the December peak travel period was a vote of confidence in Zimbabwe’s growing tourism and business market.
“Fastjet has become a key strategic partner, facilitating over four million passengers since commencing operations in 2015, demonstrating the scale of your contribution to regional mobility.
“We value Fastjet not simply as an airline, but as a strategic partner in opening Zimbabwe to regional and international travellers,” said Deputy Minister Mnangagwa.
He said connectivity was central to the country’s tourism growth strategy, with the Government prioritising route development, air access and seamless connectivity.
Fastjet currently connects Harare, Victoria Falls and Bulawayo, while also providing direct regional access to Johannesburg and other destinations in South Africa.
Deputy Minister Mnangagwa said the continued deployment of the A320 on the Harare-Johannesburg and Victoria Falls-Johannesburg routes was responding to growing demand from both business and leisure travellers.
“The A320 was introduced on the Harare–Johannesburg and Victoria Falls–Johannesburg routes in August 2026, and the decision to extend capacity reflects sustained demand from both business and leisure travellers.
“This is exactly the kind of market response we want to see: demand creates capacity, capacity creates access, and access creates tourism growth.”
He said the increase in air connectivity would have a wider economic impact beyond the aviation sector.
“When an aircraft arrives in Zimbabwe, the benefit does not stop at the airport. It flows into hotels, lodges, restaurants, tour operators, transport, attractions, retail, cultural enterprises and communities,” Deputy Minister Mnangagwa said.
“More connectivity means more visitors, longer stays, higher occupancy, more business for tourism enterprises and ultimately more jobs and investment.”
Zimbabwe’s tourism sector has recorded strong growth, with international tourist arrivals increasing from approximately 380 820 in 2021 to 1.78 million in 2025.
He added that the growth presented an opportunity for the country to continue improving connectivity and removing barriers to travel.
Fastjet Chief Commercial Officer, Vivian Ruwuya said the airline viewed Victoria Falls as Zimbabwe’s tourism hub and was planning to introduce more routes.
“You know, Victoria Falls is our tourism hub and we have enabled that with your support and your help, so the best is yet to come. We have more routes to come in future and as we talk about the Airbus, it’s just the beginning,” Ruwuya said.
She said Fastjet would increase capacity on the Harare-Johannesburg route during the December peak period.
“But in December we are going to go double daily between Harare and Johannesburg on the A320, so more opportunity, more capacity, more comfort, more connectivity,” Ruwuya said.
The A320 has 12 business class seats and 156 economy seats, providing options for both premium and ordinary travellers.
Ruwuya thanked the Zimbabwean market, customers, travel partners and travel agents for supporting the airline’s growth.
“We wouldn’t be able to do it without you, all our customers, so thank you and we’ll respond to you, we listen, we are here, we are fastjet for everyone, connecting people, connecting places,” she said.
Deputy Minister Mnangagwa reiterated that Government looked forward to more aircraft, routes, visitors and tourism investment coming into Zimbabwe.
“Our message is simple: Zimbabwe is open, Zimbabwe is accessible, and Zimbabwe is growing,” he said.
