Zimbabwe launches new airline

Zimbabwe has ushered in a new era of domestic aviation with the launch of RIDA Falcon Air, a new airline that commenced its inaugural flight between Harare and the border town of Beitbridge. The maiden voyage marked the beginning of a scheduled weekly service, promising to significantly improve travel and trade in the southern region.

The inaugural flight carried a high-profile delegation, including Dr. Micheal Musanjika, acting deputy chief secretary, and Christopher Shumba, director general of the Rural and Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA), along with senior government and customs officials. The aircraft completed the journey in one hour and thirty minutes, landing in Beitbridge at 10:15 am, a significant reduction from the six-hour road trip between the two locations.

Upon arrival, the delegation was welcomed by local leaders, including Ms. Latiso Dlamini-Maseko, Provincial Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matebeleland South, alongside members of the Beitbridge community, who turned out to witness the historic event.

The introduction of a regular weekly flight is expected to boost trade, tourism, and administrative efficiency. Officials and business stakeholders anticipate that the air link will streamline the movement of traders and government personnel, enhancing connectivity to Zimbabwe's busiest inland port.

RIDA Falcon Air management highlighted the service's potential to provide a faster, more convenient alternative to the often long and challenging road journey, though ticket prices were not disclosed in the initial launch report. The airline is seen as a strategic move to strengthen regional trade, ease transport bottlenecks, and foster economic activity between Harare and Beitbridge.