Bulawayo optimistic of new flights

Bulawayo as a business and tourist town has received a boost as Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s leading carrier, launched a new flight to the city via Victoria Falls.

The airline made its maiden flight on October 30, 2022 and that marked the start of its four weekly flights to Bulawayo, a third destination city in Zimbabwe after Harare and Victoria Falls.

Ethiopian Airlines said the new flight will be operated with B787 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The tourism sector is optimistic of better business as more flights continue to troop in the country giving more people access to the country.

Anald Musonza, Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) Matabeleland chair said, “Now tourists will able to explore Bulawayo with Ethiopian Airlines connecting four times a week from London-Heathrow and connecting on the new additional Saturday service from Manchester Airport.”

Bulawayo, is a gateway to Matobo National Park, and an ideal staging point for Hwange National Park and Vic Falls. Bulawayo is the airline”s third destination in Zimbabwe along with Harare and Vic Falls.

Tourism Business Council of Zimbabwe Representative, Ms Barbra Murasiranwa believe the new flights will improve air connectivity between Bulawayo, Victoria Falls and source markets.

“These flights are adding capacity considering that most of our tourists connect via Johannesburg and the addition of Heathrow and Manchester is an added bonus. We are really excited because this is going to help connectivity in Victoria Falls, Bulawayo and into Zimbabwe generally,” Murasiranwa said.

Ethiopian Airlines group chief executive Mesfin Tasew, said “We are continually growing our network in Africa to provide affordable and convenient air connectivity and facilitate trade within Africa and beyond.

“The commencement of flights to Bulawayo is crucial in connecting Southern Africa to the world with our 130 destinations in five continents. We are glad to serve Bulawayo, the industrial hub of Zimbabwe and Southern Africa accelerating trade with our cargo and passenger services.”

The company said their flights to multiple cities in a country indicate their solid commitment to serving our customers and supporting the continent as the best pan-African carrier.-ebusinessweekly