Rainbow airlines set to start Harare-Joburg route

Rainbow Airlines begins flights on the competitive Harare to Johannesburg route on March 5, as it spreads its wings in the industry. Rainbow chief executive officer, Ed Berry yesterday said the airline would start with three weekly flights on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

The launch of the route comes two weeks after the airline began flights to Victoria Falls. Rainbow flies once a week (Saturdays) to the resort town.

The entry of Rainbow Airlines on the Harare to Johannesburg route is set to intensify competition. Currently, South African Airways enjoys the lion's share of the market, with 21 weekly flights.

The route links Zimbabwe with its largest trading partner, South Africa, a connecting hub in Southern Africa. Other airlines that fly on the route include British Airways (through Comair), Airlink, Air Zimbabwe and low-cost carrier, Fastjet Zimbabwe.