Fastjet Zimbabwe Marks a Decade Since Its First Flight in 2015

Fastjet Zimbabwe, the sole remaining airline of Africa’s Fastjet Group, marked the tenth anniversary of its inaugural flight on October 28, 2025. Emerging from the challenges faced by its Tanzanian counterpart, Fastjet Zimbabwe has established itself as a significant presence in Southern African aviation. The airline operates several Embraer ERJ145 regional jets on various cross-border routes, with its hub in the capital city of Harare.

The airline expressed its sentiments in an official statement, saying, “This milestone symbolizes a decade of connectivity, linking people to places, fostering fond memories, and enhancing business and tourism growth in Zimbabwe and surrounding regions.”

Reflecting on a decade of operations, Fastjet Zimbabwe’s chairman, Farai Mutamangira, shared, “Today, we celebrate Fastjet’s tenth anniversary, a decade filled with hard work, dedication, and connections. This journey has been marked by growth, resilience, and unforgettable experiences.”

In a similar vein, CEO Donahue Cortes commented, “Over the years, our network has evolved beyond mere transportation. It has become a vital link, bringing together friends, families, businesses, and dreams across Zimbabwe and beyond.”

Looking ahead, Cortes emphasized Fastjet’s future plans: “Fastjet Zimbabwe will soon welcome an additional Embraer ERJ145 aircraft, which will be registered in Zimbabwe. This addition signifies not just expanded capacity, but also demonstrates our confidence in the market, our people, and our collaborative relationships within aviation, travel, and tourism sectors.”

Fastjet currently operates flights to six destinations, including Bulawayo, Harare, Victoria Falls, Lusaka, Johannesburg, and Kruger Mpumalanga. According to ch-aviation, the airline boasts a fleet of three Embraer 145 regional jets, along with three wet-leased aircraft to enhance its operations.

Who is Fastjet?

Fastjet Zimbabwe is a multi-award-winning airline that launched its flight operations in 2015. It is an offshoot of Fastjet Tanzania, which commenced operations in 2012. Initially partially owned by easyGroup Holdings, the UK parent company of easyJet, the airline began by acquiring the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) of Fly540, an African regional airline operating across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Sudan. Rebranded as ‘Fastjet’, the carrier aimed to create a low-cost airline for Africa under an easyGroup brand license.

Initially, the airline chose Dar es Salaam in Tanzania as its operational base, where it began flights to various destinations in Southern Africa in November 2012. To kick off operations, Fastjet utilized two former easyJet Airbus A319s.

In October 2015, Fastjet expanded by obtaining an AOC for Zimbabwe, leading to the launch of Fastjet Zimbabwe. The subsidiary commenced flights on October 28 of the same year. While Fastjet Tanzania faced serious financial turmoil, it is the Zimbabwe division that continues to represent the Fastjet Group today.

Currently, Fastjet Zimbabwe connects three major cities in the country, offering services between Harare and Victoria Falls, as well as Harare and Bulawayo. Additionally, it provides international flights from Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls to Johannesburg, and from Victoria Falls to Mbombela (Kruger) in South Africa, along with services between Harare and Lusaka.