The Sunday Mail
Business Reporter
The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), has reopened all the country’s airports following six months of shutdown as a measure to curb the spread of Covid 19.
This is part of the authority’s role in contributing towards tourism revival. The re-opening of the tourism sector is likely to see a gradual flow of tourists into major centres of attraction, starting with domestic tourists who are expected to drive the revival process.
Many airlines including the Emirates, have announced plans to resume flights into the country beginning October 1, but operating under strict conditions meant to contain Covid-19.
In a statement on Friday, CAAZ said airports had been opened to domestic flights on September 10, with international flights scheduled to resume on October 1.
“We are delighted to welcome the travelling public and all our stakeholders back to our airports,” said CAAZ acting director general Margaret Mantiziba.
“A number of new measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of passengers, stakeholders and our staff.
“Arriving international passengers must produce a negative PCR result conducted 48 hours prior to travel,” said the CAAZ boss.
The reopening of the skies is in line with Government’s strategy to gradually and cautiously open the economy in order to allow productivity.
While reopening the economy is of paramount importance, all stops are being pulled to make sure that a second wave of Covid-19 infections doesn’t kick in.
In light of the skies reopening, the national flag carrier — Air Zimbabwe, has resumed domestic flights and is planning to start regional routes next week.
Air Zimbabwe, which is working on revamping its operation with an eye on profitability is focusing on Harare to Bulawayo to Victoria Falls and back route on the domestic front.
fastjet which is a major player on the busy Harare-Johannesburg route, is among some airlines that have announced a return to the Zimbabwean skies.
The opening of the skies is expected to signal a boon for the tourism sector, which undoubtedly took the hardest knock from the Covid-19 induced travel restrictions.
Tourism is a key pillar in the Zimbabwean economy and it is against this background that the New Dispensation has gone out of its way in promoting Destination Zimbabwe.
Operating full throttle, the sector contributes over US$1 billion to the economy.
