KLM's Return to Harare

 

EGYPTAIR Plans to Resume Harare Service from June 2013

EGYPTAIR from 01JUN13 plans to resume service to Harare, Zimbabwe after a 9 year halt. The Star Alliance member currently plans to extend its existing 4 weekly Cairo – Dar es Salaam service to Harare, on board Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Currently reservation for this flight is not available, and GDS timetable listing is only displaying one-way flight.

MS841 CAI2330 – 0615+1DAR0715+1 – 0850+1HRE 738 x246

Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner arriving at HRE

Fresh Air Commences First Flight in November

Fresh Air, the Zimbabwean registered airline who recently entered into a joint venture (JV) agreement with South African low cost carrier, 1time Airline, is set to take to the skies on Friday, 2 November 2012 with their first flight departing OR Tambo International Airport en route to Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe. The route schedule, which as it stands, includes three weekly flights from OR Tambo International Airport on Mondays and Fridays at 10:40 am respectively, as well as a Sunday flight at 10:20 am.
As initially agreed, the JV encompasses 1time utilising its fleet of aircraft to serve the Fresh Air route, which subsequently replaces 1time’s current Livingstone flight schedule in favour of flights between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls Airport.
The route schedule, which as it stands, includes three weekly flights from OR Tambo International Airport on Mondays and Fridays at 10:40 am respectively, as well as a Sunday flight at 10:20 am.

Ethiopian Airlines Extends Boeing 787 Service to Harare/Lusaka into Nov 2012

As per 12OCT12 GDS timetable and inventory display, Ethiopian Airlines is extending Boeing 787 operations on Addis Ababa – Harare – Lusaka – Addis Ababa service, into November 2012.
The 787 service operates daily from 28OCT12 to 30NOV12. It currently operates 6 times a week since 01OCT12.
Schedule:

ET873 ADD0930 – 1240HRE1340 – 1435LUN1530 – 2025ADD 788 D

SA Express Durban-Harare route starting Nov 2012

SA Express from 02NOV12 is starting Durban – Harare operation, with 3 weekly service on board CR200 aircraft. The route was originally mean't to commence on October 10th, 2012.
Operational schedule:

SA1611 DUR0625 – 0850HRE CR2 1
SA1611 DUR1000 – 1225HRE CR2 3
SA1611 DUR1400 – 1625HRE CR2 5
SA1612 HRE1005 – 1230DUR CR2 1
SA1612 HRE1325 – 1550DUR CR2 3
SA1612 HRE1700 – 1925DUR CR2 5

UAE signs air services agreement with Zimbabwe and Niger

 

The United Arab Emirates has signed an air services Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and initialed an Air Services Agreement (ASA) with the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe in Dubai on 03 October 2012.

The MoUs allows full flexibility on the routes, capacity, number of frequencies and types of aircraft, in any type of service (passenger or cargo).The agreement was initialed by Mr. Omar Bin Ghaleb, Deputy Director General of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Mr. Munesushe Munodawafa, Secretary for Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe. Representatives from Abu Dhabi Department of Transport, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Sharjah Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al Khaimah Department of Civil Aviation, Etihad Airways, Emirates Airline and RAK Airways attended the negotiations. The signed memorandum also includes the exercise of fifth freedom traffic rights. In addition, both Parties agreed to allow unrestricted non-scheduled / charter operations between the two countries.

Mr. Omar Bin Ghaleb stressed the importance of this Agreement, which will further boost the travel and trade between UAE and Zimbabwe. Mr. Ghaleb has also signed an air services Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and initialed an Air Services Agreement (ASA) with the Government of the Republic of Niger in Dubai on 04 October 2012.

Link: http://www.ameinfo.com/uae-signs-air-services-agreement-zimbabwe-314246

Update: New Air Botswana Schedule

From the 28th of October 2012, Air Botswana will add several new routes to their schedule including Nairobi, Cape Town, Lilongwe, Blantyre, Lanseria (Johannesburg) and Victoria Falls. Harare will recieve a fourth weekly (Tuesday) non-stop flight (ATR 42-500) while Mondays & Saturdays will operate GBE-HRE-NBO-HRE-GBE (Avro RJ85 Avroliner) and Wednesdays will operate GBE-HRE-BLZ-HRE-GBE (Avro RJ85 Avroliner)  . The Victoria Falls-Maun route will be non-stop every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (ATR 42-500). The new schedule is available for booking but still subject to change. Air Botswana is yet to make an announcement on these new routes.

http://www.airbotswana.co.bw/

BA 777-200ER take-off at HRE

British Airways Boeing 777-200ER take-off from Harare International Airport to London Heathrow. This video was taken in 2006. Rumors are back that BA will resume the route in 2013. link

SA Express Officially Announce Durban-Harare Route

LAM Mozambique Airlines discounts on Maputo-Beira-Harare Route

Lam Mozambique is offering special discount fares on the Maputo-Beira-Harare route which will begin on 28th of October 2012. The airline will offer twice weekly flights every Wednesday and Sunday. Schedule:

Maputo (MPM) 09:35 - Beira (BEW) - 12:30 Harare (HRE)

Harare (HRE) 13:30 - Beira (BEW) - 1625 Maputo (MPM)

  

Ethiopian Airlines 787-800 to Harare/Lusaka in October

According to the latest Ethiopian Airlines schedule, they will replace the Boeing 767-300ER with 787-800 Dreamliner service on the ADD-HRE-LUN-ADD route during the month of October. The 787-800 will operate Monday through Saturday while Sunday will be operated by 777-200LR.   

BA/Comair arriving at HRE

 

BA/Comair 6267 arriving at Harare International Airport after a short trip from Johannesburg. Picture taken by William Whaley on airliners.net

SA Express: Durban-Harare Route Open for Booking

SA Express (SAX) Durban-Harare route is now available online for booking. The route will open on the 5th of October, 2012 with 3 weekly service (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) on-board a 50 pax CRJ 200 a/c.

Schedule:
Mon: SA1611 DUR0625-0850HRE
         SA1612 HRE1005-1230DUR
Wed: SA1611DUR1000-1225HRE
         SA1612HRE 1325-1550DUR
 Fri:   SA1611 DUR1400-1625HRE
         SA1612 HRE1700-1925DUR

SA Express is yet to issue a press release on this new route.

Fresh-Air Launching Soon!!!

Their website is still in progress, stay tuned for more info. http://www.fly-fresh.com

Air Botswana Addition Routes incl: Maun-Victoria Falls

Air Botswana plans to add several new routes to its current schedule from the 28th of October, 2012.
The following destinations will be added:

Gaborone - Cape Town
Gaborone - Lanseria (Johannesburg)
Gaborone - Lilongwe
Gaborone - Blantyre
Maun - Victoria Falls
Gaborone - Nairobi

Stay tuned for more on this!!!

Emirates Boosts Capacity with Boeing 777-300ER February/March 2013

Emirates Airlines will increase capacity on the DXB-LUN-HRE route from 01 February 2013 by replacing 3-class A330-200 with the 3-class Boeing 777-300ER. This is a further capacity boost to Zambia and Zimbabwe, as the airline is increasing this route from 5 weekly to daily from 01 October 2012. The aircraft has a passenger capacity of 364 and features first class private suites. So far the Boeing 777-300ER only reflects for the months of February and March then reverts back to the A330-200.

Schedule:

EK713 DXB0925 – 1450LUN1620 – 1720HRE 77W D
EK714 HRE1850 – 1950LUN2120 – 0640+1DXB 77W D

Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner arriving at Harare International Airport (HRE)

Apologies for the poor quality.

Pics: Ethiopian Airlines 787-800 Dreamliner at Harare International Airport

Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner in Harare

Ethiopian Airlines first Boeing 787-860 Dreamliner named "Africa First" touched down at Harare International Airport at approximately 1.42pm. ET becomes the first airline outside Japan and only the third carrier behind JAL and ANA to operate this ultra modern aircraft. The plane is one of 10 Dreamliners ordered by Ethiopian Airlines. The Dreamliner is a long-range, mid-size wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner developed by Boeing Commercial Airplanes.It seats 265 passengers in economy class and 24 in business class. It is Boeing’s most fuel-efficient airliner and the world’s first major airliner to use composite materials for most of its construction. According to Boeing, the 787 consumes 20 percent less fuel than the similarly-sized 767. Its distinguishing features include a four-panel windshield, noise-reducing chevrons on its engine nacelles, and a smoother nose contour.It is the most technologically advanced commercial aircraft in the world and offers passengers enhanced on-board comfort, significantly reduced noise, higher level of humidity and boasts the biggest windows ever and a unique lighting system. An additional four Dreamliners are expected to be delivered to the airline before the end of the year.  

British Airways/Comair About to Land in Harare

Great shot by William Whaley posted on Airliners.net. BA/Comair about to land at Harare International Airport passing the Harare-Chitungwiza highway.

Update: Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 to Harare/Lusaka August 20th and 23rd

Ethiopian Airlines as of 08AUG12 has revealed latest revision of planned Boeing 787 operation, which is in effect from 16AUG12 to 04SEP12. During this period, the 787 will operate several one-time service to 18 countries in Africa, Middle East and South Asia.
Planned routes and operational dates for Harare and Lusaka are as follows:

Addis Ababa – Harare – Lusaka – Addis Ababa ET873 on 20AUG12, 23AUG12

Note as ET is only operating 1 Boeing 787 aircraft in August 2012 and early-September 2012, possibility of last minute changes to other aircraft type such as Boeing 767-300ER and 777-200LR remains high.

SA Express Awarded Harare Traffic Rights

SA Express has recently been awarded traffic rights for the Durban-Harare route. This follows the launch of services between Durban and Lusaka, Zambia on 12 July 2012. According to Lulu Bam, SAX communications manager, SAX is still working out the details for when the Durban-Harare service will launch and how many flights will be operated between the 2 destinations per week. The airline already operates 3 flights a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays) from Durban to Lusaka. On 3 August 2012 it will launch a 4th weekly flight on Fridays between Durban’s King Shaka International Airport and Lusaka's Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. The flights use a 50-seater CRJ200 aircraft.
SAX also plans to launch flights between Durban and several other regional destinations in 2012. These are Vilanculos and Maputo in Mozambique, Windhoek in Namibia, Gaborone in Botswana, and Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Click the link below for full details:
http://www.southafrica.net/sat/content/en/za/trade-news-detail?oid=538379&sn=Detail&pid=309007&First-Lusaka--now-Harare-for-SA-Express

1time launches Zimbabwe low cost airline

 1time Airlines has concluded a joint venture agreement with Nu-Aero, trading as Fresh Air, a registered Zimbabwean company. Fresh Air is jointly owned by Nu.Com of Zimbabwe and 1time holdings. This strategic partnership has resulted in the launch of Zimbabwe's first low-cost air services provider, which will begin offering flights initially in September 2012. As part of the agreement, 1time will cease its current Livingstone route in favour of flights between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls, which will subsequently become a Fresh Air operation.
Fresh Air and 1time completed the Civil Aviation Authority regulatory demonstration flight from OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg to Harare International Airport, before flying to Victoria Falls and then back to Johannesburg. Blacky Komani, CEO of 1time Airline says that this newly found agreement with Fresh Air provides an opportunity for both companies to take advantage of the fact that Africa is the only continent where the low-cost carrier model is yet to take flight with regional destinations. 1time will have a short term dispensation to operate aircraft on the ZS register, while executing a migration to Zimbabwean registered and crewed operation. This process will be carried out within a year. Feel free to leave your views on this new development.

Emirates Opening New Office in Harare Soon

Emirates Airlines seem to have some ambitious plans for the Zimbabwe market. They recently announced daily flights to Harare starting October 1st, 2012 as well as a dedicated freighter service that operates every Friday. They are currently in the process of setting up a bigger and more impressive office in the Avondale area. Once the DXB-LUN-HRE route has matured it will eventually be split with dedicated flights to both cities.

http://zimbojam.com/articles/lifestyle/how-we-live/item/293-emirates-consolidates-in-zimbabwe

DELTA-KLM to Expand Codeshare Operation to Mexico and Zimbabwe

DELTA-KLM has issued notification to the US Department of Transportation, revealing its intention to expand codeshare agreement, which covers US – Mexico, as well as Zimbabwe.
Planned codeshare routes:

KLM operated by DELTA
Atlanta – Cancun
Atlanta – Cozumel
Atlanta – Guadalajara
Atlanta – Mexico City
Atlanta – Monterrey
Atlanta – Puerto Vallarta
Atlanta – San Jose del Cabo
Boston – Cancun
Detroit – Cancun
Detroit – Cozumel
Detroit – Mexico City
Detroit – Monterrey
Detroit – Puerto Vallarta
Los Angeles – Guadalajara
Los Angeles – Puerto Vallarta
Minneapolis – Cancun
Minneapolis – Cozumel
New York JFK – Mexico City
Washington Dulles – Cancun

DELTA operated by KLM
Amsterdam – Harare – Lusaka – Amsterdam

Ethiopian Airlines Cancels 787 on Harare & Lusaka route

Ethiopian Airlines has cancelled its planned Boeing 787 ADD-HRE ADD-LUN operation that was due to begin October 28, 2012. These routes were supposed to be split and operated by a mix of Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 787.
Currently ET is operating 777-200LR on the ADD-HRE-LUN-ADD route but will soon revert back to the 767-300ER.

Emirates SkyCargo adds Harare

Emirates SkyCargo, the freighter division of Emirates Airlines has launched a separate dedicated cargo service to Harare. The freighter was launched on July 13th and operates every Friday (Day 5) as EK 4869 on board 777F. The flight departs DXB at 11.05 arriving in HRE at 15.55 with the return leg operating via JNB.
Tonnage between Harare and Lusaka had increased to 100 000 tonnes of cargo during the first five months of operation, mostly being agriculture produce including fruits, fresh flowers and vegetables.
Visit Emirates SkyCargo website for more information.

KLM Resuming Flights to Harare

 KLM starting October 29 2012 is resuming flights to Zimbabwe with service to Harare operating 3 times a week. KLM last operated its own aircraft into Harare in late October 1999, with twice weekly AMS-JNB-HRE service. The airline will operate this route in conjunction with Lusaka, as AMS-HRE-LUN-AMS, with Airbus A330-200 aircraft. Flight KL523 will be operated on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, departing from Schiphol at 10.20 hrs and arriving in Harare on the same day at 21.25 hrs. The return leg of the circle trip has the same number, KL523, leaving Harare at 22.30 hrs the same day, with an intermediate landing in Lusaka. The flight arrives in Amsterdam the following morning at 10.20 hrs. KLM will also offer eleven weekly services to Harare via Nairobi in cooperation with Kenya Airways, which is undergoing rapid development in terms of fleet expansion and new destinations. The link to the official press release is posted below:

http://www.klm.com/corporate/en/newsroom/press-releases/archive-2012/KLM_strengthens_Africa_network_with_service_to_Harare_Zimbabwe.html

British Airways/Comair Takeoff from Harare

Emirates Annouces Daily Flights to Zambia, Zimbabwe

Starting October 1st 2012, Emirates Airlines will be flying daily to Harare via Lusaka. The linked service, which currently operates five times a week, has performed strongly since its launch on 1st February this year, said a statement from Emirates.  To date, Emirates has carried over 43,000 passengers on this route, it added.   “A daily service to Lusaka and Harare will mean greater choice for customers, while an increased cargo capacity of 40 per cent will facilitate more export business opportunities for both countries, forging greater trade links and increasing access to key trading partners in Asia and the Middle East.” 
The Dubai-Lusaka-Harare service is operated by an A330-200 aircraft in a three-class configuration, offering 12 luxurious First Class seats, 42 seats in Business Class and generous space for 183 passengers in Economy Class. EK 713 will depart Dubai at 7.25am, arriving in Lusaka 2.35pm. The service then departs Lusaka at 4.20pm and lands in Harare at 5.20pm. On return, the flight leaves Harare at 6.50pm, arriving in Lusaka at 7.50pm. It then departs Lusaka at 9.25pm and lands in Dubai at 6.40am the next day.

Zambezi Airlines Schedule

Effective 15th June 2012, Zambezi Airlines will be operating a 4x/weekly service on the Lusaka-Harare route. The flights will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays using CRJ-200 a/c.

Lusaka-Harare
ZJ504 LUN 0700-0800 HRE CRJ Tues/Thurs
ZJ506 LUN 1630-1730 HRE CRJ Tues/Thurs

Harare-Lusaka
ZJ505 HRE 0845-0945 LUN CRJ Tues/Thurs
ZJ507 HRE 1815-1915 LUN CRJ Tues/Thurs

Ethiopian Airlines Postpones Planned Boeing 787 Service to Harare/Lusaka

 Ethiopian Airlines has postponed planned Boeing 787 operation on Addis Ababa – Harare and Addis Ababa – Lusaka route. These routes previously to be operated by a mix of Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 787 from 16SEP12, but this is now postponed till 28OCT12. From 16SEP12 to 27OCT12, ET continues to operate daily Addis Ababa – Harare – Lusaka – Addis Ababa triangle routing, on board 767-300.

till 27OCT12
ET873 ADD0920 – 1245HRE1335 – 1435LUN1525 – 2025ADD 763 D
eff 28OCT12
Addis Ababa – Harare
ET873 ADD0920 – 1245HRE 738 246
ET873 ADD0920 – 1245HRE 787 x246
ET872 HRE1440 – 1955ADD 738 246
ET872 HRE1440 – 1955ADD 787 x246
Addis Ababa – Lusaka
ET883 ADD0910 – 1215LUN 787 246
ET883 ADD0910 – 1215LUN 738 x246
ET882 LUN1500 – 2005ADD 787 246
ET882 LUN1500 – 2005ADD 738 x246

LAM Mozambique to Harare?

According to flight search engines, LAM Mozambique will be operating flights between Maputo, Mozambique and Harare, Zimbabwe via Beira twice a week starting October 28th 2012. Flight 342/343 will operate on Wednesdays and Sundays with DHC-8-400 turbo-prop, departing Maputo 9.35am arriving in Harare at 12.30pm. The return flight departs Harare at 1.30pm arriving in Maputo at 4.25pm. No official announcement has been made yet about this route but we will definitely keep you informed on any developments.

Final Approach Into Harare Kenya Airways 767-300ER

Zambezi Airlines Back

 Zambezi Airlines has been cleared for take-off and recently reactivated its booking portal on their website. The airline will be starting flights on the first week of June, operating on Tuesdays and Thursdays between Lusaka and Harare. Service will increase once demand picks up on the route. Currently, Emirates is the only airline offering flights between Lusaka and Harare. Visit Zambezi Airlines website to make your bookings.

Landing at Harare International Airport SA022

Take-off from Harare on SAA A340-300

Air Namibia lands in Harare

After almost 13 years of absence , Air Namibia made its maid flight into Harare yesterday using a 37 seater Embraer ERJ-135 jet. The flight arrived at Harare International Airport around 1125 before going through the traditional water cannon salute and was met by several delegates from both countries. Air Namibia is expected to ply this route four times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) departing Windhoek at 810 then arriving in Harare at 1125. The return flight departs Harare at 1205 arriving in Windhoek at 1320.
The airline which also flies to Victoria Falls from Windhoek announced that the Embraer ERJ-135 is just a route opener and is expected to be replaced by a 112-seater Airbus 319 once demand picks up.

Johannesburg to Victoria Falls Flight

Precision Air Postpones Harare Launch Date

Tanzania’s Precision Air starting May 2012 is introducing 2 new destinations, where it’ll launch 3 weekly service to Lubumbashi and Lusaka, starting 18MAY12. Further, planned service to Lilongwe and Harare, due to start 02JUN12, is postponed until 03JUL12.
Schedule and routing:

Dar es Salaam – Lubumbashi – Lusaka – Dar es Salaam
PW704 DAR1030 – 1140FBM1230 – 1320LUN1410 – 1655DAR 733 357
Dar es Salaam – Lilongwe – Harare – Dar es Salaam
PW705 DAR1030 – 1105LLW1155 – 1305HRE1355 – 1640DAR 733 246

Proflight Zambia Plans Harare Route

According to a news article from the Times of Zambia, Proflight Airlines will in June begin its first international operations to Harare, Zimbabwe and Lubumbashi DRC. The airline company has all along been strictly operating domestic routes and the move to go regional seems to be  a chance to take over the routes that were being operated by the grounded Zambezi Airlines. Currently Emirates is the only commercial airline operating flights between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The full article can be read by clicking on the link button.

Emirates Increasing Harare Service?

Emirates timetable is showing that the airline will be adding an additional Thursday flight starting November 1st 2012 bringing their total weekly frequency up to six flights. So far this flight is not available for booking but I'm sure an official announcement will be made soon by the airline. Emirates has plans of flying daily on this route then eventually splitting its Harare via Lusaka service.

SA Express Plans Regional Expansion

SA Express together with Dube TradePort have signed an agreement set to turn Durban's King Shaka airport into a regional hub. The airline will soon start flights from King Shaka airport to Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia and Mozambique. No further details have been given regarding specific routes, frequencies and launch dates.

Precision Air Introducing Harare Service

Tanzanian based airline, Precision Air will begin service to Harare International Airport starting June 2nd, 2012. The flights will be operating on a 3 week basis, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday out of Dar Es Salaam via Lilongwe.
PW 705 departs Dar Es Salaam at 10.30am arriving in Lilongwe at 11.05am before proceeding to Harare where arrival time will be 1.05pm. The return journey departs Harare at 1.55pm arriving in Dar Es Salaam at 4.40pm. No official announcement has been made about this route but flights are available for booking through online agents.

BA/Comair Increasing Harare Service

British Airways franchise carrier Comair starting April 4th 2012 will be increasing service on the Harare-Johannesburg route, which increases from Daily to 10 weekly. The new 3 weekly service operates at night-time from Johannesburg, early-morning from Harare using 737-300 a/c.

Schedule:

BA6267 JNB1220 – 1355HRE 734 D
BA6265 JNB1840 – 2015HRE 733 347
BA6266 HRE0700 – 0840JNB 733 145
BA6268 HRE1435 – 1615JNB 734 D

SAA Schedule Change

Starting March 25th 2012, South African Airways will be adjusting its schedule resulting in more convenient connection opportunities to and from SAA’s international flights. Flight times for SA028 and SA029 between Johannesburg and Harare will be optimized. SA028 and SA029 will also be upgraded to wide body A330 aircraft on Fridays, accounting for the typically higher demand on that day. SAA is also operating wide-body aircraft on Thursdays flight SA 022/023.

Air Zimbabwe Fails to Resume Flights

Struggling Air Zimbabwe which was supposed to resume flights yesterday failed to do so due to its current debt crisis and striking working force. The airline was supposed to resume flights to local destinations including Bulawayo and Victoria Falls but so far no updated report has been posted on their website. Will keep you posted on any new updates.