Have you always wanted to visit Victoria Falls, but have never been able to afford the often pricey airfare to and from the city? Well chances are that this summer, you might just be able to.
Recently, flyafrica.com – the new kid of the aviation block – launched flights between Victoria Falls and Johannesburg. “Africa’s Low Fare Airline,” as they call themselves, are strongly competing with South African Airways (SAA) on both this route, and the Harare-Johannesburg route by luring passengers in with cheaper deals. The introduction of these less expensive flights has been welcomed with open arms by tourists, locals and businessmen and women.
Referring to the route, Adrian Hamilton-Manns, Group CEO of flyafrica.com recently said “the flight is a milestone both for our airline and for African aviation […] we have successfully launched Africa’s first low fare airline. It was done on time and as planned.”
With return flights as low as $190 (R2100) between the two popular cities, many people originally approached the airline with caution. “While there has been some skepticism that it is a gimmick and is too good to be true, the vast majority of people have supported and encouraged us,” Hamilton-Manns said to this.
Flyafrica.com currently conduct four flights between Johannesburg and the Falls: on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. What’s more, next month they are expanding further and launching flights between the Falls and the country’s sunny capital, Harare.
“Following the great enthusiasm and support […] we are continuing with our expansion plans,” said flyafrica-Zimbabwe CEO Chakanyuka Karase.
This new route will ensure that the airline come head-to-head with the national carrier, Air Zimbabwe, which flies between the cities daily, and charges a minimum of $270 for a return ticket. With one-way fares starting from $80 (R900), flyafrica.com are definitely throwing down the gauntlet.
They don’t plan to stop here, either. “Our next expansion will be into our neighbouring countries of Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania and Malawi”, said Karase. “We are committed to developing more routes during 2015 and enabling more passengers to travel around Africa without having to use the traditional path of connecting through Johannesburg.”
All we know is that the more the merrier! With no real ‘budget’ airlines serving Zimbabwe, the emergence of flyafrica.com is a welcome relief.
With incredible Victoria Falls activities to get stuck into, incredible wildlife to see, and luxurious accommodation on offer, take advantage of these new low-cost flights.
