(Posted 17th August 2026)
Courtesy of Nunurai Ndawana
July 2026 will go down as one of the most consequential months in Zimbabwean aviation. It was more than a month of meetings, announcements, route launches & aircraft deliveries. It was a month of reshaping the next chapter of Zimbabwean aviation.
July brought the privilege of hosting and coordinating the signing of an Interline Memorandum of Understanding between fastjet and Etihad, a significant step towards connecting Zimbabwe to global markets.
On 10 July, I participated in the Single African Air Transport Market #SAATM engagement hosted by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, contributing to conversations around connectivity, liberalisation and the future of African aviation.
We hosted the inaugural #ZimbabweAviationDevelopmentAndTaxationForum, bringing together industry leaders and stakeholders to have the difficult but necessary conversations about creating an aviation environment capable of supporting sustainable growth, investment and connectivity. Excessive Taxation remains a challenge for African aviation; such conversations are critical in ensuring that the structure is revised for the accelerated development of Zimbabwean aviation.
Another historic moment was witnessing the delivery of an Airbus #A330 for Fly Air Zimbabwe, supporting the resumption of the Harare–London service. It was a powerful reminder that Zimbabwe’s aviation story is not simply about where we have been, but where we are capable of going.
And we closed July by announcing another important milestone for fastjet Zimbabwe: the introduction of an Airbus #A320 on a two-month trial, strengthening capacity on the high-demand HREJNB and VFAJNB routes while evaluating the aircraft’s potential as a longer-term addition to the fleet.
Looking back, what stands out most is the convergence of ambition, collaboration and action. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be at the centre of these conversations and initiatives, working alongside Ministers, regulators, CEOs, industry leaders and aviation stakeholders to discuss strategic plans, challenge conventional thinking and help craft a new future for Zimbabwean aviation.
The future of aviation in Zimbabwe will be built through partnerships, courageous conversations, strategic thinking and the willingness to turn ideas into action. July reminded me that Zimbabwe’s aviation story is being rewritten, and I am privileged to have a seat at the strategic table.
