Fastjet Zimbabwe Marks a Decade of Connecting Zimbabwe and the Region

Fastjet Zimbabwe celebrates 10 years of affordable air travel, marking a decade of connecting cities, boosting tourism, and strengthening business links across Southern Africa (image source)

HARARE — Fastjet Zimbabwe commemorated its 10th anniversary on 28 October 2025, celebrating a decade of low-cost connectivity that executives say transformed domestic travel, supported tourism, and boosted business links across Southern Africa. The milestone reflects the carrier’s resilience through economic turbulence, regulatory hurdles, and fluctuating demand, highlighting its evolving role as a practical bridge between cities, tourist hubs, and regional markets.

Launched in 2015 after securing its air service permit and air operator certificate, Fastjet Zimbabwe began with a focus on affordable, frequent services linking Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls. Over ten years, the network expanded to include regional routes to Lusaka, Johannesburg, and Kruger Mpumalanga, matching growth in demand from holidaymakers, business travellers, and diaspora traffic. The airline’s fleet, centred on Embraer ERJ-145 jets, provided the route flexibility needed to serve both high-density city sectors and thinner leisure markets, executives said.

Chairman Farai Mutamangira used the anniversary to reflect on operational gains and the company’s broader economic contribution. “Today, we celebrate Fastjet’s 10th anniversary — a decade of hard work, dedication, and connections,” he said, citing improved domestic accessibility, tourism growth around Victoria Falls, and direct employment opportunities created by the airline and its partner network. Management highlighted that the airline’s presence encouraged investment in airport services, ground handling, and hospitality sectors in secondary cities that previously struggled to attract regular air links.

Fastjet Zimbabwe’s executives credited staff, franchise partners, and franchisees with sustaining the carrier through challenging periods, including currency volatility, periodic fuel shocks, and regional border disruptions. Donahue Cortes, the airline’s Business CEO/Country Head, described the carrier as “more than a transport provider; Fastjet is a catalyst for business, tourism, and personal mobility” and said the company would continue to focus on punctuality, safety, and competitive fares to retain market share.

Industry observers noted the airline’s ten-year record of relatively strong on-time performance, although recent weeks ahead of the anniversary saw a string of delays that prompted a public apology and a pledge to restore reliability. Analysts said that maintaining operational performance in Zimbabwe requires careful fleet planning, reliable access to foreign currency for parts and fuel, and strengthened partnerships with airports and regulators.

Fastjet Zimbabwe signalled plans to deepen domestic market penetration and explore partnerships with local suppliers to reduce import dependency. The carrier also flagged continued investment in staff training and customer-service standards through regional academy initiatives to build a pipeline of qualified aviation professionals.

Tourism operators and provincial authorities welcomed the anniversary as recognition of the airline’s role in sustaining visitor flows to major attractions and in supporting business travel that underpins regional trade. They urged government and industry to collaborate on stable aviation policies that encourage route development and keep air fares affordable for Zimbabweans.

“Fastjet has been a vital link for business and tourism — its decade in Zimbabwe shows what consistent connectivity can do for local economies,” a tourism sector source said.