Air Zimbabwe has introduced daily return flights between Harare and Mutare, running from 8 to 14 September 2025. This timely service launch precedes the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Travel Expo, set to take place in Mutare from 10 to 12 September, Zimbabwe’s premier tourism event and the first to be hosted in the Eastern Highlands.
Pilot Service with Potential
The Harare–Mutare service will be flown with a 20-year-old 48-seater ATR 42-500, with registration 5Y-RNV, leased from Kenyan-based Renegae Air. Air Zimbabwe secured this aircraft specifically for the Mutare trial service. Civil-aviation checks and airport upgrades were completed so the ATR-42 could operate safely into Grand Reef Airport for the Sanganai/Hlanganani Expo.
This limited-time route is billed as a pilot operation, giving Air Zimbabwe a real-time opportunity to assess market interest and gauge the route’s long-term viability. CEO Edmund Makona emphasized:
“We are testing the market … If the demand is there, Air Zimbabwe will be ready to make it a permanent feature of our network.”
The flights promise efficient travel for Expo participants, be they exhibitors or visitors, offering a swift 30-minute hop to Mutare. Moreover, the route is seamlessly integrated with existing services: travelers can easily connect to Victoria Falls via Harare, enabling multi-destination visits within the country. The rollout has been coordinated with key industry stakeholders, Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ), National Handling Services (NHS), and the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), to ensure smooth operations. To enhance booking accessibility, Air Zimbabwe also launched an online ticketing option through PayNow.
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