By Rex Mphisa
FALCON Air on Friday finally took to the skies in its initial scheduled flights from Harare to Beitbridge and back.
An official from Rural Infrastructure Development Agency confirmed the plane had started the scheduled flights.
“Yes it started, it must have landed in at 8:30 am. It is a new route and we will maintain presence. It is likely to grow fast. We had some passengers although not to capacity,” said the official.
Some Beitbridge residents said the plane, a twin-engine Cessna 410, landed at Beitbridge at 8:45 am.
“We saw it, it was at around 8:45 am when it touched down,” said Agritex official Masawuso Mawocha.
Last week Zimbabwe Tourism Authority regional manager Tawanda Mpofu said the introduction of the plane was a milestone towards the country’s journey towards enhanced connectivity and tourism growth.
“This is more than just a new flight path. It is a bridge a bridge that connects communities, cultures, and commerce. Beitbridge, as a gateway to our southern neighbor South Africa, has long been a critical point of entry into Zimbabwe. With this route, we are opening up new possibilities for both domestic and international travelers, making it easier and faster to explore the beauty, heritage, and hospitality that Zimbabwe has to offer,” he said.
Tourism, he said, thrives on accessibility and the development means tourists can now travel seamlessly from the southern border to Harare under two hours.
“This is a game changer for tour operators, local businesses, and the thousands of Zimbabweans whose livelihoods depend on tourism,” he said.
He said Falcon Air’s decision to invest on this route is a vote of confidence in the future of Zimbabwean tourism.
“It aligns perfectly with our vision to diversify our tourism offerings and ensure every corner of our country is within reach,” he said.
He said ZTA looked forward to the new opportunities the route would bring hoping increased tourist arrivals, job creation, and the stimulation of regional travel will be realised.
“Let us continue to work together government, private sector, and communities to ensure our skies remain open, our destinations attractive, and our guests warmly welcomed,” he said.
The ZTA has long been trying to open the southern corridor to tourism, mostly wildlife found in the two transfrontier parks at Gonarezhou and Mapungubwe in the east and west of Beitbridge town respectively.
Several other wildlife sanctuaries exists with the largest at Bubi Valley Conservancy where Government and the private sector are on a project to rebuild the black rhino head.