ETIHAD AND FASTJET SIGN MOU TO ESTABLISH NEW INTERLINE, CODESHARE AND FREQUENT FLYER PARTNERSHIP
Etihad Airways and Fastjet Zimbabwe have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a new interline partnership, codeshare agreement and frequent flyer partnership, in a move set to significantly enhance air connectivity between Zimbabwe and the rest of the world.
The agreement was signed in Harare on 7 July 2026, with ticket sales under the partnership expected to begin from 24 August 2026. Under the arrangement, guests travelling on Etihad will be able to connect onward on Fastjet Zimbabwe to Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, and Johannesburg on a single ticket, streamlining travel for passengers moving between international and domestic or regional routes.
The partnership builds on Etihad’s upcoming direct service between Abu Dhabi and Harare, scheduled to launch on 24 March 2027, and is expected to extend the airline’s reach beyond the Zimbabwean capital into Bulawayo and Victoria Falls through its new tie-up with Fastjet. For Fastjet customers, the collaboration will offer easier access to Etihad’s extensive international network via Abu Dhabi, opening up destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and beyond on a single itinerary.
As part of the agreement, Fastjet Zimbabwe will also become the 32nd airline partner within the Etihad Guest loyalty programme, paving the way for frequent flyer benefits to be extended across both carriers in the future.
Speaking on the partnership, Etihad Airways Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer Arik De said Africa remained an important part of the airline’s growth strategy, noting that partnerships of this nature allow Etihad to extend its reach and open up more of the continent for its guests. Fastjet Zimbabwe Business CEO and Country Head Donahue Cortes described the agreement as the beginning of what is expected to be a significant partnership between the two airlines, while Fastjet Chief Commercial Officer Vivian Ruwuya said the collaboration would open up the world for the airline’s customers in Zimbabwe, giving travellers easier access to a far wider range of international destinations.
Passengers transiting through Abu Dhabi under the new partnership will also be eligible for Etihad’s stopover programme, which includes up to two complimentary hotel nights, allowing visitors the opportunity to explore the UAE capital before continuing on to their final destinations.
The agreement marks a significant step in strengthening Zimbabwe’s air links with key international markets, positioning both airlines to offer travellers greater flexibility, broader route options, and more seamless connections between Zimbabwe’s domestic and regional network and Etihad’s extensive global reach.
