fastjet completes first Zimbabwe flight

A budget airline Fast Jet Zimbabwe has launched the Harare-Victoria Falls route in a move set to promote domestic tourism in the country.

The introduction of the flight is expected to improve accessibility of the country's premier destination, ahead of the operationalisation of the new Victoria Falls International Airport set for the end of next month.

Fast Jet chief executive officer Edward Winter says the budget carrier will operate three flights per week and increase frequency as the demand grows.

It will penetrate other routes to make the country more accessible.

"We are also looking forward to spreading our wings regionally and internationally as well. Most flights will be just out of Harare. I think there's a great demand to fly out of Victoria Falls to fly into South Africa in particular and we look forward to getting a permission to fly on the route out of Victoria Falls to bring tourists, trade and business in from South Africa as well," said Winter.

The tourism sector is optimistic Fast Jet's penetration of the local airline industry will promote competition, service delivery and reduce the cost of travelling to the resort town.

Fast Jet joins the national flag carrier Air Zimbabwe to become the second airline operating on the Harare-Victoria Falls route.