Fly Namibia launches direct flights to Victoria Falls
Story by Tichaona Kurewa
FLY Namibia has launched direct flights between Victoria Falls and Windhoek, solidifying the country’s tourism capital as a destination of choice.
Zimbabwe is pulling all stops to propel Victoria Falls into becoming an unparalleled regional hub of aviation connectivity in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area.
This was emphasised at the launch of Fly Namibia on the Victoria Falls route this Thursday as the airline becomes the 11th flight into the resort city.
“Recognising the central location of this airport in the southern region, the government has deemed it necessary to develop it as a Regional Tourism Hub. From here, passengers can conveniently connect to any of the eight Southern African countries, including Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, Angola, Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, and now Namibia, all within a two-hour flight feat we take immense pride in,” said Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister OF Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Joshua Sacco.
Namibia’s Deputy Minister of Works and Transport, Honourable Veikko Nekundi said, “The establishment of this flight route is so crucial as it significantly will contribute to the socio-economic growth of both nations; enhance connectivity, and facilitate smooth business transactions; trade partnerships, and investment opportunities, among others. This route will catalyse Regional tourism and air travel integration with SADC.”
Other stakeholders concurred that Victoria Falls is now a regional tourism hub with an additional four weekly flights by Fly Namibia.
“This airport, strategically located near this awe-inspiring site, will act as a hub for both tourists and business travellers. As a central hub in the Sub-Saharan region, this airport was in recent years modernised and upgraded to accommodate increased traffic and long-haul lights, which has resulted in a surge of passenger numbers,” said ACZ Board Chairperson, Mr Tich Muhonde.
“This will bring cooperation between tourism in Zimbabwe and Namibia and those that are international who will be coming here. We already have Eurowings that is flying into Victoria Falls via Namibia and there is a lot of business going to Victoria Falls. I’m happy to say that Victoria Falls International Airport has become a hub for these four countries, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia where tourists are coming arriving in Victoria Falls and then go to Livingstone, go to Katima Mulilo, going to Kasane and most of them will spend more night in Victoria Falls,” said the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Honourable Barbra Rwodzi.
Zimbabwe is dedicated to supporting the growth and sustainability of the aviation industry, through participating in initiatives such as the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Declaration concerning the liberalisation of air transport markets in Africa.
The country is also a participant in the Single African Air Transport Market.
