Fastjet Zimbabwe, the sole remaining carrier of Africa’s Fastjet Group, commemorated the tenth Anniversary of its first flight on October 28, 2025. Having risen from the ashes of the failed Tanzanian operator of the same name, Fastjet Zimbabwe has risen to become a major player in Southern African aviation, operating several Embraer ERJ145 regional jets on cross-border routes from the country’s capital, Harare.
According to an airline statement, “This milestone signifies a decade of connectivity, connecting people with places, creating lasting memories, and contributing to the growth of business and tourism in Zimbabwe and the region.”
Reflecting on the ten years of commercial service, Fastjet Zimbabwe’s chairman, Farai Mutamangira, said, “Today, we celebrate Fastjet’s tenth anniversary, a decade of hard work, dedication and connections. It has been a journey of growth, resilience and unforgettable memories”.
Meanwhile, Donahue Cortes, fastjet Zimbabwe’s CEO, remarked, “Throughout the years, our network has grown into something far beyond just a means of transportation. It has transformed into a powerful connection, uniting friends, families, businesses, destinations, and dreams across Zimbabwe and beyond”.
Commenting on Fastjet’s commitment to the next decade of flights, Cortes announced that, “Fastjet Zimbabwe will soon take delivery of an additional Embraer ERJ145 aircraft to be registered in Zimbabwe. This addition represents more than just capacity – it represents confidence in our market, in our people, and in our collaborative professional relationships with aviation, travel, and tourism stakeholders”, he concluded.
Fastjet currently operates flights to six destinations, namely, Bulawayo, Harare, Victoria Falls, Lusaka, Johannesburg, and Kruger Mpumalanga. According to ch-aviation, the carrier has a current fleet of three of its own Embraer 145 regional jets, plus wet leases a further three airframes to bolster its fleet.
Who is Fastjet?
Fastjet Zimbabwe is a multi-award-winning African airline that began flight operations in 2015. It is an offshoot of Fastjet Tanzania that began operations in 2012. Partly owned from inception by easyGroup Holdings, the UK parent company of easyJet, the airline began by acquiring the AOC of African regional airline Fly540 that was operating in Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The rebranded carrier, which would form the platform for the development of a low-cost carrier for Africa, was branded ‘Fastjet’ under the terms of an easyGroup brand license agreement.
The airline originally chose Dar es Salaam in Tanzania as its first operating base in Africa, operating flights from that city’s airport to other points in Southern Africa from November 2012. To begin operations, the carrier used a pair of former easyJet Airbus A319s.
As well as expanding services from its base in Tanzania, in October 2015, the company obtained an AOC for Zimbabwe, and Fastjet Zimbabwe was launched. Flights by the subsidiary commenced on October 28, 2015. While Fastjet Tanzania later succumbed to serious financial issues, it is the Zimbabwean carrier that now flies the flag for the Fastjet Group.
Today, Fastjet Zimbabwe connects three major cities in Zimbabwe by flying between Harare and Victoria Falls, as well as between Harare and Bulawayo. In addition, the airline offers international flights from Harare, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls to Johannesburg in South Africa, from Victoria Falls to Mbombela (Kruger), Nelspruit, Mpumalanga in South Africa, and between Harare and Lusaka.
