Zim aviation sector soars
THE country’s aviation sector is experiencing a remarkable surge in activity, with a wave of new airlines entering the market and existing carriers expanding their flight frequencies to various destinations across the country.
This positive trend aligns with the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) recent projection of a strong financial performance for airlines in 2024, fuelling optimism within the industry.
As Zimbabwe continues to invest in airport infrastructure development, the country is well-positioned to capitalise on this anticipated upswing and establish itself as a key player in the global aviation landscape.
According to IATA’s latest announcement, the projected net profits for airlines in 2024 are expected to reach US$30,5 billion, reflecting a 3,1 percent net profit margin.
This represents a notable improvement compared to the estimated net profits of $27,4 billion with a three percent net profit margin in 2023, as previously forecasted by IATA.
This is also an improvement on the $25,7 billion (2,7 percent net profit margin) forecast for 2024 profits that IATA released in December 2023.
A key development in Zimbabwe’s aviation sector, Uganda Airlines recently announced that it will start plying the Harare-Entebbe route from the 25th of this month following growth in air transport demand between the two countries.
In a recent interview on the sidelines of the Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, a company consulting for Uganda Airlines, Airlines Pros Zimbabwe’s Commercial and Operations executive, Mr Kudakwashe Mapukute said it is expected that frequent flights between the two destinations will stimulate bilateral trade.
“Uganda Airlines will be flying into Zimbabwe from 25 September. We will start with four flights into Zimbabwe on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Then we expect to add more flights because we have realised that there is a lot of potential in Zimbabwe,” he said.
Uganda National Airlines Company Limited Sales Support Executive, Ms Claire Nakaayi said the route sees up to 9 000 passengers travel between the two destinations, with the volume expected to grow.
She said although Harare is the immediate target route, Uganda Airlines also intends to service the Entebbe-Lusaka-Bulawayo and Entebbe-Lusaka-Victoria Falls routes.
Commenting on the benefits of visiting Uganda, Ms Nakaayi said: “We are saying support the new route we have added because Uganda is the pearl of Africa. It is home to over 80 percent of the world’s gorilla population as well as a country with the warmest and hospitable people. We have national parks that have the big five and our weather is also good.”
She said another key feature in their country was the source of the world’s longest river, the Nile which was found in Jinja District in Uganda.
Besides passengers, the airline is also looking at cargo transportation given the volume of cargo between the two destinations.
More than 20 foreign airlines are flying into Zimbabwe, largely attracted by growing passenger numbers to and from the destination, a growing economy, peace and tranquillity, vibrant tourism and the Government’s open skies policy.
Some of the international airlines servicing Zimbabwe include Ethiopian Airways, South African Airways, Qatar, Emirates, Kenya Airways, Euro Wings, Ba Comair, Air Link, Rwanda Air, Air Tanzania, Malawi Airways, Fastjet and Mark Air.
The aviation sector is being expanded by the Government by increasing connectivity not only in Africa but to the rest of the world in line with the target to transform Zimbabwe into an empowered and prosperous upper middle-income economy by 2030.
