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Zimbabwe pushes for direct Dubai - Victoria Falls link
2 hrs ago |
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A Zimbabwean delegation is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) holding negotiations aimed at establishing a direct air route between Dubai and Victoria Falls, in a move designed to boost tourism inflows and strengthen the country's global connectivity.
The discussions form part of a broader government strategy to tap into international passenger traffic flowing through Dubai, one of the world's busiest aviation hubs.
On Monday, Zimbabwe's Ambassador to the UAE Isaac Moyo and Transport and Infrastructural Development permanent secretary Engineer Joy Makumbe met officials from Etihad Airways to advance discussions on potential new flight routes.
In a statement on its official X account, the Zimbabwe Embassy confirmed that the talks are part of efforts to introduce a direct Abu Dhabi–Harare route, with longer-term ambitions including improved connectivity to Victoria Falls.
"Today, 18 May 2026, Ambassador Isaac Moyo led the Zimbabwe delegation's engagement with Etihad Airways as the plan to introduce a direct flight between Abu Dhabi and Harare gathers momentum," the Embassy said.
Etihad Airways, one of the UAE's flagship carriers alongside Emirates, operates more than 1 000 flights per week to over 120 destinations globally and maintains a fleet of over 100 aircraft.
The latest engagement follows earlier talks in February between Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi and senior executives from Emirates Airline during the World Governments Summit in the UAE.
Those discussions explored enhanced air connectivity, with particular emphasis on establishing a direct Dubai–Victoria Falls route and positioning Victoria Falls Airport as a regional hub for the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), supported by the KAZA UniVisa initiative.
Zimbabwe's tourism sector has recently gained global attention, including being named among top global travel destinations by international travel publications, further strengthening the case for expanded direct flight connectivity.
Officials say technical assessments of Victoria Falls International Airport's capacity were previously agreed upon, paving the way for possible progression toward a formal air services agreement once feasibility studies are completed.
The discussions form part of a broader government strategy to tap into international passenger traffic flowing through Dubai, one of the world's busiest aviation hubs.
On Monday, Zimbabwe's Ambassador to the UAE Isaac Moyo and Transport and Infrastructural Development permanent secretary Engineer Joy Makumbe met officials from Etihad Airways to advance discussions on potential new flight routes.
In a statement on its official X account, the Zimbabwe Embassy confirmed that the talks are part of efforts to introduce a direct Abu Dhabi–Harare route, with longer-term ambitions including improved connectivity to Victoria Falls.
"Today, 18 May 2026, Ambassador Isaac Moyo led the Zimbabwe delegation's engagement with Etihad Airways as the plan to introduce a direct flight between Abu Dhabi and Harare gathers momentum," the Embassy said.
The latest engagement follows earlier talks in February between Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi and senior executives from Emirates Airline during the World Governments Summit in the UAE.
Those discussions explored enhanced air connectivity, with particular emphasis on establishing a direct Dubai–Victoria Falls route and positioning Victoria Falls Airport as a regional hub for the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA), supported by the KAZA UniVisa initiative.
Zimbabwe's tourism sector has recently gained global attention, including being named among top global travel destinations by international travel publications, further strengthening the case for expanded direct flight connectivity.
Officials say technical assessments of Victoria Falls International Airport's capacity were previously agreed upon, paving the way for possible progression toward a formal air services agreement once feasibility studies are completed.
Source - The Herald
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