Zambia Airways is set to relaunch its direct service between Lusaka and Harare on June 17, 2025, marking a renewed push to strengthen air links across Southern Africa. This decision is expected to enhance regional mobility while offering travel agents across the continent new ways to package and promote cross-border travel.
Picture/Zambian Airways
The Lusaka-Harare route, originally introduced in 2023 but later paused, will now operate three times a week, targeting the rising demand for leisure, business, and trade travel between Zambia and Zimbabwe. This direct link is poised to play a pivotal role in reviving regional tourism and boosting economic interaction.
Expanded options for the travel industry
For those in the African travel trade, the route’s return brings exciting potential. The enhanced connectivity allows for the creation of seamless multi-destination itineraries. With easier access between the two capitals, agents can now combine Lusaka and Harare in curated travel experiences, from wildlife excursions and cultural immersions to corporate retreats and investor tours, as per Travel News Africa reports.
As the Southern African aviation market becomes increasingly dynamic, Zambia Airways is positioning itself to gain a larger slice of intra-African travel. Reinvesting in regional connections like this one aligns with broader continental trends, where more carriers are recognising that domestic and short-haul routes offer real growth potential.
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Convenience for travellers
The reinstated flights bring tangible benefits to passengers. Direct service means skipping lengthy layovers and complex flight paths, making travel between the two cities faster and far more comfortable. For travel agents, this convenience becomes a key selling point, especially for time-sensitive clients.
Sammy Wong/Unsplash
Trade and tourism gains
Increased air access between Lusaka and Harare is more than a boost for tourism — it’s also a strategic enabler of trade and investment. By linking the capitals directly, the route will make it simpler for businesses to connect, partners to collaborate, and new market opportunities to flourish.
Travel professionals have an important role to play here, offering tailored logistics for business travellers and investors alike.
Zambia Airways’ commitment to the region
The decision to bring back the Lusaka-Harare flights signals the airline’s broader commitment to supporting Southern African development through reliable air travel. The enhanced connectivity allows for the creation of seamless multi-destination itineraries.
For agents, this move offers a chance to grow by reaching new customers and delivering travel solutions that respond to shifting client demands.
Gateway to iconic experiences
Tourism is likely to benefit immediately. The route provides easy access to Victoria Falls, one of Africa’s crown jewels, which lies roughly equally distant from Lusaka and Harare.
This sets the stage for agents to craft blended itineraries combining city breaks with nature escapes. Other nearby highlights — like Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park and Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park — can be woven into more ambitious travel plans, adding depth and appeal for tourists.
Zambia Airways’ move to restart this route is not just about resuming a flight — it’s about unlocking new opportunities for intra-African travel, trade, and collaboration. For travel agents, it’s a chance to grow their business and meet the evolving needs of a continent on the move.
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