Story by Gay Matambo
THE introduction of the Harare – Mutare route by Air Zimbabwe during the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo last year has ignited optimism among economic players in Manicaland, who view the air link as the missing piece in unlocking the province’s vast economic potential.
The service, which reduces travel time between the capital city and Mutare to just thirty minutes, is being hailed as a game-changer for tourism, agriculture and the business sector.
The three-to-four-hour drive along the Harare-Mutare Highway was the only viable route for business executives, international buyers and tourists looking to access the Eastern Border Region.
However, the skies over Manicaland opened up, signalling a new era of rapid connectivity.
What started as a temporary pilot project during the 18th Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo has quickly proven its commercial necessity.
“The flight has completely changed my life. I have a busy life. I live in Mutare and partly in Harare. I am a medical doctor in Harare, and I also have to come back to Mutare to my husband and family. I have to be back and forth. Driving would take me four hours. With the flight, it is 30 minutes, and I am on the plane, and I am on the other side, so I am grateful. I use it every week, and as a professional woman, it has really made my life easy. I can do business in Mutare, and I am back in Harare in the morning. I am in the office by 12pm, and then I work a full afternoon,” Traveller, Professor Dr Rudo Makunike – Mutasa said.
“I am a frequent traveller to Harare. It is the capital city, and for business, we really have to go. The flight has made life easier. I use it almost every week. It is very convenient. It has also helped us at work. We have guests coming in from overseas, so it is a benefit to the investors who fly to Mutare instead of driving,” Mr Ahmed Muhammad said.
By restoring Mutare to the national aviation map through major structural and safety upgrades at the Grand Reef Airport, the government has successfully bridged the logistical gap that previously isolated the Eastern Highlands from global markets.
“Since the operationalisation of Grand Reef Airport in September 2025, Air Zimbabwe introduced a flight between Mutare and Harare. The flight has been consistent, serving the larger part of Manicaland since it was underserved in terms of flights for a long time. Manicaland is not just a tourism destination but an investment destination where there is a number of activities that can be done in the whole of Manicaland catchment from timber business, minerals and also it is one of the greatest tourism products we have as a country and we are delighted that Air Zimbabwe is continuing to serve the route and as Airports Company of Zimbabwe we will continue to ensure that the airport is manned and served through and through. This will not just end in Manicaland.
“We are also expecting the same to happen in Masvingo. There are plans to upgrade the airport for Sanganai, and we also hope there will be a scheduled flight route between Harare and Masvingo,” Airports Company of Zimbabwe – Public Relations and Communications Manager, Mr Tonderai Mangombe said.
“We have Air Zimbabwe operating from Victoria Falls into Harare and then into Grand Reef Airport in Mutare. The flight operates four times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. We have seen an increase in the passengers coming into Mutare for tourism, and we are happy that this has also promoted the tourism sector as well as the business sector,” Grand Reef Acting Airport Manager, Ms Florence Tsikwa said.
The permanent operationalisation of the Harare-Mutare route stands as a testament to the success of public-private collaborations born out of the national tourism expos.
