Kenya Airways brings forward launch of Victoria Falls flights to May 1

Kenya Airways had originally planned to introduce flights into Victoria Falls, which will also connect to Cape Town in South Africa, on May 18.

ONE of Africa's largest airlines, Kenya Airways, has brought forward the launch of its maiden flight into Victoria Falls to May 1, joining some of the biggest carriers on the continent landing in the resort town.

Kenya Airways had originally planned to introduce flights into the resort town, which will also connect to Cape Town in South Africa, on May 18.

However, a statement from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) said on Thursday the first Kenya Airways jet would land in Victoria Falls on Workers' Day, two months after South African Airways (SAA) introduced the first wide boarded plane on the destination, an Airbus A330.

Last month Africa's largest airline, Ethiopian Airways, also introduced flights into Victoria Falls, with three weekly frequencies that also connect into neighbouring Botswana.

SA Airlink has indicated that it will start flights into the town in July this year.

"Kenya Airways will be launching a direct service to Victoria Falls from 1 May 2017," said CAAZ.

"The thrice a week service will connect Africa's iconic tourist destinations as follows; Nairobi-Victoria Falls and Cape Town."

Following a US$150 million facelift of the Victoria Falls International Airport that concluded in November last year, the resort town is expecting an additional 80 000 visitors annually, according to industry officials.

The airport can now handle up to 1,5 million tourists per annum, from 500 000.