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Fastjet Airbus A319-132

Fastjet Zimbabwe Marks 10 Years Of Scheduled Operations

November 2, 2025 John Cushma 57
Fastjet Airbus A319-132

ID 74439555 | Air © Gordzam | Dreamstime.com

A Decade Since The First Flight

Fastjet Zimbabwe has celebrated 10 years of operations, marking a milestone since it launched its inaugural flight on October 28, 2015. That first service connected Harare (HRE) with Victoria Falls (VFA) and was operated by an Airbus A319, signaling the airline’s intent to support both business and tourism flows inside Zimbabwe from day one.

Regulatory Green Light In 2015

The airline first secured its air service permit (ASP) in March 2015, followed by its air operator certificate (AOC) in October 2015. That rapid progression from licensing to launch allowed the carrier to begin scheduled services before the end of the year, filling a gap in reliable domestic connectivity.

Where Fastjet Zimbabwe Flies Today

Fastjet has since built out a hybrid domestic–regional network centered on Harare and Victoria Falls:

Domestic

These routes underpin government and private-sector travel and support the tourism triangle between Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls.

Regional

This mix gives Zimbabwe point-to-point access to South Africa, Mozambique, and Zambia, linking safari and leisure traffic with regional business demand.

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Fleet: From A319 To Embraer

While the launch flight used an Airbus A319, the airline has since standardized around Embraer regional jets, reflecting the realities of southern African markets:

  • Better economics on thin and seasonal routes

  • Right-sized capacity for tourism peaks to VFA

  • Improved frequency potential on Harare–Johannesburg and Harare–Bulawayo

Embraer aircraft also suit Zimbabwe’s mix of short stage lengths and tourism-driven demand.

Economic & Tourism Role

Fastjet Zimbabwe is privately owned but operates in lockstep with the government’s goal to grow:

  • Tourist arrivals to Victoria Falls and the western safari circuit

  • Trade links via Johannesburg and Lusaka

  • Utilization of upgraded airport infrastructure, after the state’s recent investment in runways, terminals, and nav systems

By keeping reliable domestic lift in the market, the airline reduces travel friction inside the country and helps make Zimbabwe’s destinations more sellable to foreign tour operators.

What To Watch

  • Further Victoria Falls–regional links during high season

  • Possible frequency growth on HRE–JNB if demand holds

  • Continued Embraer-focused fleet to keep unit costs predictable

After ten years, Fastjet Zimbabwe has moved from start-up status to core domestic connector — and, crucially, it’s doing it with aircraft sized for the market rather than chasing volume it can’t sustain.

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