HARARE – Zimbabwe’s aviation sector has taken a significant step forward with FlyX Aero confirming the addition of an Airbus A340-300 to its fleet, a move that underscores the airline’s long-haul ambitions and its growing role in supporting tourism, trade and broader economic recovery.
Details on major investors/owners are limited, but they are going through certification with Zimbabwean aviation authorities, but other platforms shows that Hilka Birns is one of the founders.
The Harare-based start-up FlyX Aero acquired a 1997-built Airbus A340-300, the first of its type registered in Zimbabwe, as it works through the five-phase certification process with the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe to secure an AOC.
The acquisition of the wide-body A340-300 is more than a fleet expansion. FlyX Aero says the aircraft is central to its strategy of improving Zimbabwe’s international air connectivity and offering tourists smoother, more direct access to the country’s key destinations.
With its long range and high seating capacity, the aircraft is expected to serve popular holiday gateways and global hubs, reducing transit times and eliminating the need for multiple stopovers for travellers bound for Zimbabwe.
Industry analysts note that deploying one of the largest aircraft currently operated by a local carrier signals confidence in rising demand, particularly from leisure travellers and the diaspora. The A340-300’s spacious cabin, improved pressurisation and enhanced onboard amenities are designed to improve passenger comfort, enabling visitors to arrive better rested and ready to explore attractions such as Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and the Great Zimbabwe monument.
FlyX Aero is also in the advanced stages of securing its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), a regulatory milestone that will allow the airline to operate commercial scheduled services independently. Once approved, the AOC is expected to unlock new international routes and provide greater operational flexibility, reducing administrative bottlenecks that often constrain new entrants. For passengers, this is likely to translate into more flight options, improved schedules and increased competition on key routes.
The airline says the A340-300 will anchor its plans to expand Zimbabwe’s global flight map, linking the country more directly with major markets in Africa, Europe and the Middle East. Direct connections to cities such as Dubai, London and Frankfurt are expected to make Zimbabwe a more attractive and accessible destination, both for tourists and business travellers. Reduced reliance on foreign hubs could also help lower overall travel costs and stimulate inbound traffic.
Beyond tourism, improved air connectivity has wider economic implications. Increased passenger volumes support hotels, lodges, tour operators and local suppliers, while expanded air services create jobs across aviation, hospitality and related sectors. Government officials have repeatedly emphasised that stronger international links are critical to positioning Zimbabwe as a regional business and investment hub.
FlyX Aero has also highlighted sustainability as part of its growth strategy. While not a next-generation aircraft, the A340-300 is more efficient and cleaner than many older wide-body jets still in service globally. The airline says this aligns with the expectations of environmentally conscious travellers and complements Zimbabwe’s broader efforts to promote eco-tourism and protect its natural heritage.
Strategic partnerships form another pillar of FlyX Aero’s expansion. The airline is working with tourism authorities, aviation stakeholders and international partners to coordinate route development, joint marketing and destination promotion. Collaboration with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority is expected to intensify once the AOC is secured, with coordinated campaigns aimed at positioning the country as a premier leisure and cultural destination.
As FlyX Aero builds out its fleet and network, analysts say the combination of larger aircraft, regulatory progress and partnership-driven growth marks a potential turning point for Zimbabwe’s aviation and tourism sectors. If successfully executed, the airline’s strategy could convert increased seat capacity into sustained visitor growth, stronger foreign inflows and renewed confidence in Zimbabwe’s place on the global travel map.
