ZIMBABWE: Does Air Zimbabwe Have Only One Working Aircraft?

Boeing 767-200ER, the Air Zimbabwe plane that spewed fire from its left engine shortly after take-off from OR Tambo International Airport on April 28, is the airline’s only working aircraft.

A statement released by the airline on March 7 claimed that, due to equipment constraints, the aircraft is used to service all routes.

The aircraft underwent an engine change on March 3, which resulted in rescheduled and cancelled flights at the time.

Destinations via the airline include Johannesburg, Victoria Falls, Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, and Harare, the Zimbabwean capital city.

Flight UM462 was en route to Harare shortly after 7pm on April 28 when it experienced a malfunction on one of its engines, which resulted in a brief tailpipe fire.

This malfunction did not threaten the continuation of the flight or the safety of the crew and passengers, the airline stated. The plane landed safely in Harare at 8.35pm, about one and a half hours after the ordeal started.

Our engineers have commenced the required investigation and a report will be issued in due course, the airline added.


Tourism Observer

ZIMBABWE: Air Zimbabwe Blessed With Duty Free Importation Of Spares

Efforts to improve the operations of Air Zimbabwe have received further boost following revelations that Government recently extended the dispensation for the national air carrier to import spares duty free.

Through statutory instrument 92/2019 Customs and Excise – Duty Rebate for Air Zimbabwe the Government extended, for the whole of 2019, the existing rebate on engine spares and aircraft components for Air Zimbabwe.

The debt ridden State owned airline was placed under the administration of Grant Thornton with effect from October 4 2018, amid a string of losses, in terms of the Reconstruction of State-Indebted Insolvent Companies Act.

Administrator Reggie Saruchena late last year said Air Zimbabwe revival was possible; promising a turnaround.

He said he had previously handled similar challenges. As operational and viability problems mounted at the national airline, Air Zimbabwe's passenger numbers plunged to about 230 000 per annum from a peak of 1 million in 1996.

Air Zim has also been struggling to meet its external obligations resulting in it being suspended from international aviation bodies, whose membership is critical for its global routes.

Air Zim assistant administrator Tonderai Mukubvu said that extension of rebate was welcome as it reduces the cost of aircraft maintenance.

The removal of import duty takes away a significant cost of maintenance. For instance, if a spare part costs US$4, it means that this reduces the cost of maintenance by the equivalent of the duty, Mr Mukubvu said in an interview.

Air Zim spares must all be imported because we do not have any local manufacturer, as such the removal of the duty cuts down on the foreign required to import from wherever since the duty is also charged in forex, he added.

He also said that the extension of the duty rebate on spares and components will enable the airline to save foreign currency.

The airline currently has two functional aircraft; one flying and servicing domestic and regional routes and another currently grounded and undergoing maintenance procedure, C-check.

Delivery of an Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft from the US is expected in the next two weeks to increase its fleet of functional aircraft, making the rebate handy.

Further, reports earlier this month indicated that the airline was due to take delivery of two Boeing 777-200 ERs acquired from Malaysia, as part of efforts to boost its fleet.

Mr Mukubvu said a reduction in the amount of foreign currency required to import critical spares, as Zimbabwe faces forex shortages, will reduce the overall cost of maintenance by an equivalent factor.

Mr Mukubvu said the company was operating two aircraft while a third, an Embraer ERJ 145 was expected in Zimbabwe in a fortnight and would also benefit from the import duty rebate on spares and engine components.

Air Zim is saddled with a US$341 million debt accumulated over a decade of mismanagement. The inability to repay debts left the airline unable to meet its obligations to global aviation bodies.

Air Zim is now battling to attain recertification under the International Air Transport Association operational safety audit and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) after losing its rights as a result of failing to pay its dues.

IATA is an association of the airlines from across the globe, representing 275 airlines or 83 percent of total air traffic. The association supports many areas of aviation activity and helps to formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues.

One of Air Zimbabwe's long haul aircraft, a Boeing 767-200 was impounded by American General Supplies at Gatwick International Airport in London in December 2011 over debts amounting to $1,2 million.

In 1980, Air Zimbabwe had 18 aircraft flying into 31 destinations but is now limited to Harare-Johannesburg; Harare-Bulawayo and Harare-Victoria Falls routes.


Tourism Observer

MOROCCO: Royal Air Maroc To Fly To 5 East African Nations, Signs Codeshare With Alitalia

Royal Air Maroc RAM has signed a code sharing agreement with Alitalia to boost air links between Morocco and Italy.

Under the deal, they will increase air links between Morocco and Italy to 29 from 7, RAM said in a statement on Wednesday.

Royal Air Maroc (RAM) the national carrier for Morocco announced plans to launch flights to five other East African cities.

Royal Air Maroc already has flights from Casablanca to Nairobi.

Royal Air Maroc Country manager in Kenya, Othman Baba says the move, caused by their gainful experience on the Nairobi route.

Royal Air Maroc which joined the 23-member single African air transport market (SAAM) last year, has said it will ride on the continental aviation framework, to speed up regulatory approvals.

It is so far the only North African airline that runs a direct Nairobi—Ndjamena (Chad) flight.

We will be extending operations in East Africa in in the short-term with new destinations like Dar es Salaam, Harare, Kigali, Maputo and Khartoum,he said.

With more than 30 destinations in West Africa, it is imperative that Royal Air Maroc has decided to spread into East Africa to share on the lucrative East African market.

Royal Air Maroc started with two weekly flights to Nairobi in 2016, but has since increased frequency to three fights a week.

Royal Air Maroc, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian, South African and Egypt Air are Africa’s largest flying Airlines.

Air Maroc says its key success point remains its low ticket prices.

Royal Air Maroc maintains strict control over its costs structure and processes, resulting in lower ticket price and cargo tariffs.


Tourism Observer

ZIMBABWE: Harare, Condition Of Roads Is Bad And Street Lights Are Lacking, Without A National Currency

Harare is the capital of Zimbabwe.

Harare is home to some two million people, with most in central Harare but some 500,000 in the surrounding districts of Rural Harare, Chintungwiza and Epworth.

Once a city of modern buildings, wide thoroughfares, numerous parks and gardens, it suffered from increasing disrepair thanks to Zimbabwe's economic downward spiral.

However, there have recently been a few signs of improvement as the decision of the country to adopt the US dollar as its currency has begun to facilitate some investments.

The capital city retained the name Salisbury until 1982.

The name of the city was changed to Harare on 18 April 1982, the second anniversary of Zimbabwean independence, taking its name from the village near Harare Kopje of the Shona chief Neharawa, whose nickname was "he who does not sleep".

Prior to independence, Harare was the name of the black residential area now known as Mbare.

In the early 21st century Harare has been adversely affected by the political and economic crisis that is currently plaguing Zimbabwe, after the contested 2002 presidential election and 2005 parliamentary elections.

The elected council was replaced by a government-appointed commission for alleged inefficiency, but essential services such as rubbish collection and street repairs have rapidly worsened, and are now virtually non-existent.

Harare officially called Salisbury until 1982 is the capital and most populous city of Zimbabwe.

Situated in the north-east of the country in the heart of historic Mashonaland, the city has an estimated population of 1,606,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area.

Administratively, Harare is a metropolitan province, which also incorporates Chitungwiza town and Epworth. It is situated at an elevation of 1,483 metres (4,865 feet) above sea level and its climate falls into the subtropical highland category.

The city was founded in 1890 by the Pioneer Column, a small military force in the service of the British South Africa Company, and named Fort Salisbury after the British Prime Minister Lord Salisbury.

Company administrators demarcated the city and ran it until Southern Rhodesia achieved responsible government in 1923. Salisbury was thereafter the seat of the Southern Rhodesian later Rhodesian government and, between 1953 and 1963, the capital of the Central African Federation.

It retained the name Salisbury until 1982, when it was renamed Harare on the second anniversary of Zimbabwean independence.

Harare is Zimbabwe's leading financial, commercial, and communications centre, and a trade centre for tobacco, maize, cotton, and citrus fruits.

Manufactured goods include textiles, steel and chemicals, and gold is mined in the area.

The city's suburbs include Borrowdale, Helensvale, Greendale, Chisipite, Shawasha hills, Mbare, HIghfields, Kuwadzana, Marlboro, Marlbereign, Vainona, Mount Pleasant and Avondale, Glen View, Budiriro, Southly Park, Warren Park; the most affluent neighbourhoods are to the north.

The University of Zimbabwe, the country's oldest university founded in 1952, is situated in Mount Pleasant, about 6 km (3.7 mi) north of the city centre.

Harare is home to the country's main Test cricket ground, Harare Sports Club, and to Dynamos F.C., Zimbabwe's most successful association football team.

In May 2006 the Zimbabwean newspaper the Financial Gazette, described the city in an editorial as a sunshine city-turned-sewage farm.

In 2009, Harare was voted to be the toughest city to live in according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's livability poll.

The situation was unchanged in 2011, according to the same poll, which is based on stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.

In May 2005 the Zimbabwean government demolished shanties and backyard cottages in Harare and the other cities in the country in Operation Murambatsvina or Drive Out Trash.

It was widely alleged by residents and politicians that the true purpose of the campaign was to punish the urban poor for supporting the opposition Movement for Democratic Change and to reduce the likelihood of mass action against the government by driving people out of the cities.

The government claimed it was necessitated by a rise of criminality and disease.

This was followed by Operation Garikayi/Hlalani Kuhle or Operation "Better Living" a year later which consisted of building concrete housing of poor quality.

In late March 2010, Harare's Joina City Tower was finally opened after 14 years of on-off construction, marketed as Harare's new Pride.

Initially, uptake of space in the tower was low, with office occupancy at only 3% in October 2011. By May 2013, office occupancy had risen to around half, with all the retail space occupied.

The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Harare as the world's least liveable city out of 140 surveyed in February 2011, rising to 137th out of 140 in August 2012.

During late 2012, plans to build a new capital district in Mt. Hampden, about twenty kilometres (12 miles) north-west of Harare's central business district, were announced and illustrations shown in Harare's daily newspapers.

The location of this new district would imply an expansion into Zvimba District. The plan generated varied opinions.

In March 2015, Harare City Council planned a two-year project to install 4,000 solar streetlights, at a cost of $15 million, starting in the central business district.

The city sits on the one of the higher parts of the Highveld plateau of Zimbabwe at an elevation of 1,483 metres (4,865 feet). The original landscape could be described as a parkland.

Harare has a subtropical highland climate. The average annual temperature is 17.95 °C (64.3 °F), rather low for the tropics, and this is due to its high altitude position and the prevalence of a cool south-easterly airflow.

There are three main seasons: a warm, wet season from November to March/April; a cool, dry season from May to August (corresponding to winter in the Southern Hemisphere); and a hot, dry season in September/October.

Daily temperature ranges are about 7–22 °C (45–72 °F) in July (the coldest month), about 15–29 °C (59–84 °F) in October (the hottest month) and about 16–26 °C (61–79 °F) in January (midsummer).

The hottest year on record was 1914 with 19.73 °C (67.5 °F) and the coldest year was 1965 with 17.13 °C (62.8 °F).

The average annual rainfall is about 825 mm (32.5 in) in the southwest, rising to 855 mm (33.7 in) on the higher land of the northeast,from around Borrowdale to Glen Lorne. Very little rain typically falls during the period May to September, although sporadic showers occur most years.

Rainfall varies a great deal from year to year and follows cycles of wet and dry periods from 7 to 10 years long. Records begin in October 1890 but all three Harare stations stopped reporting in early 2004.

The climate supports a natural vegetation of open woodland. The most common tree of the local region is the Msasa Brachystegia spiciformis that colours the landscape wine red with its new leaves in late August.

Two introduced species of trees, the Jacaranda and the Flamboyant from South America and Madagascar respectively, which were introduced during the colonial era, contribute to the city's colour palette with streets lined with either the lilac blossoms of the Jacaranda or the flame red blooms from the Flamboyant.

They flower in October/November and are planted on alternative streets in the capital. Also prevalent is Bougainvillea.

Harare has been the location of several international summits such as the 8th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (6 September 1986) and Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 1991.

The latter produced the Harare Declaration, dictating the membership criteria of the Commonwealth. In 1998 Harare was the host city of the 8th Assembly of the World Council of Churches.

In 1995, Harare hosted most of the 6th All-Africa Games, sharing the event with other Zimbabwean cities such as Bulawayo and Chitungwiza.

It has hosted some of the matches of 2003 Cricket World Cup which was hosted jointly by Kenya, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Several of the matches were also held in Bulawayo.

The city is also the site of one of the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA), which has featured such acclaimed artists as Cape Verdean singer Sara Tavares.

The public transport system within the city includes both public and private sector operations.

The former consist of ZUPCO buses and National Railways of Zimbabwe commuter trains.

Privately owned public transport comprised licensed station wagons, nicknamed emergency taxis until the mid-1990s, when they were replaced by licensed buses and minibuses, referred to officially as commuter omnibuses or Makombi.

The National Railways of Zimbabwe operates a daily overnight passenger train service that runs from Harare to Mutare and another one from Harare to Bulawayo. Harare is linked by long distance bus services to most parts of Zimbabwe.

The largest airport of the country Harare International Airport serves Harare.

Soccer is most popular among the people of Harare. Harare is home to Harare Sports Club ground. It has hosted many Test, One Day Internationals and T20I Cricket matches.

Harare is also home to the Zimbabwe Premier Soccer League clubs Dynamos F.C., Harare City, Black Rhinos F.C. and CAPS United F.C..

Residents are exposed to a variety of sources for information. In the print media, there is the Herald, Financial Gazette, Zimbabwe Independent, Standard, NewsDay, H-Metro, Daily News and Kwayedza.

There has been an increase of online media outlets. These include ZimOnline, ZimDaily, Guardian, NewZimbabwe, Times, Harare Tribune, Zimbabwe Metro, The Zimbabwean, The Zimbabwe Mail and many others; however, a number of factors have combined to effectively eliminate all media except those controlled by the state.

Therefore, it is difficult to find a news source that is not bribed or influenced by the government.

The government controls all the electronic media, though Voice of America, Voice of the people and SW Radio Africa beam broadcasts into the country without the clearance of the regulatory authority.

Harare's airport is the major gateway for flights into the country. Air Zimbabwe also operated a small network of domestic flights before ceasing operations.

The National Archives has a priceless collection of maps, sketches, books, diaries and documents, as well as most of Thomas Baines' paintings.

The National Art Gallery holds frequent exhibitions of both indigenous and foreign works of art. The National Museum's specialty is the Story of Man and the Story of Animals in Mashonaland.

Ten minutes from the city you'll find Chapungu Kraal, in pastoral surroundings, where there is a magnificent collection of soapstone and verdite sculpture and an authentic 19th century Shona village complete with n'anga (traditional doctor).

Watersports of all kinds are available on the resort-filled north Shore of Lake Chivero, just a few minutes out of Harare, and the Lake's south shore is 2 023,4 ha of fascinating wilderness, where zebra, giraffe, sable, white rhino, tsessebe and eland roam.

Bird life is so prolific that, in one day, ornithologists recorded 200 species.

In the granite hills you can find many Bushmen paintings. Lodges and chalets on the lake shore are available.

Drive through the city for an appreciation of the Sunshine City’s historical buildings to Kopje hill for a 360-degree panorama of the city.

Bargain for exquisite hand-crafted souvenirs at the bustling Mbare Musika, and sample the swinging action at the Tobacco Auction floors in season.

Mukuvisi Woodlands - Call in on elephant, impala, ostrich and giraffe in a natural woodland reserve set aside and run by the Wildlife Society of Zimbabwe.

Only 15 minutes from the city centre.

Chengeta Safari Day Trip - Visit Mashonaland’s largest private game reserve with over 45 mammal and more than 180 bird species. Tailor-made safari options include horseback, canoe, game drives, walking and fishing. Unspoilt Africa at its best!

Kuimba Shiri Bird Gardens and Snake World - Here’s another aspect of Zimbabwe’s wildlife – 100s of exotic and indigenous birds at Kuimba Shiri.

At the nearby Snake World, you’ll face some of Africa’s most venomous vipers – all in one place. Definitely not something you’ll see anywhere else!

Lion & Lake Chivero Game Park - The wilds of Africa right on the city outskirts. Your chance to see the big cats and rare nocturnal species up close.

At Lake Chivero, free-ranging plains game abound and you may even catch a glimpse of the why white rhino.

Lake Manyame Recreational Park - Lake Manyame is one of the best angling environments in the world.

Challenge the staggering Bass fishing record of 18,4 pounds, experience stunning and breathtaking views of the lake from the dam wall and picnic sites, try out a variety of water sports or enjoy bird watching in this peaceful and tranquil environment.

Located 76 kilometres west of the capital city of Harare, Lake Manyame (formerly Darwendale) Recreational Park occupies a total area of 11,200 hectares.

Of this area, Lake Mayame water body swallows 8,100 hectares, just under three quarters of the parks total area.

The dam wall is 2 kilometres long and the maximum water depth is 226 metres. It took about three years to construct the dam, from 1973 to 1976. The park was established in 1973 but was officially opened in 1976.

The recreational park has a small area reserved for game. Here you can expect to see the less dangerous and smaller animals, mainly herbivores.

The most prevalent species are sable, kudu, waterbuck, bush pig, reedbuck, common duiker, warthog, baboon, vervet monkey, oribi and porcupine.

This park is a prime fishing destination attracting local, regional and international fishing enthusiasts. The major fish species within the lake are Mozambique and blue bream, Hunyani salmon, mud sucker, tiger fish, barbel, parrot fish, bulldog, spot tail, minnow bass and African mottled eel.


Fishing is the main attraction and bass fishing attracts thousands of enthusiasts annually. Fishing tournaments are held frequently with the most distinguished and world renowned being the Bass Masters Tournament.

The record catch on 25 July 2004 was a bass weighing 18,4 pounds.
The vegetation is well fed by the thick soils made fertile by humus derived from falling leaves and dying tall grass and other plants coupled with favourable rainfall.

The park is able to sustain a variety of tree species among them; musasa, munhondo, mukarati, ficus, capensis, dicyrostachys, cinera, pseudolachnostylls, maprononeifolia, euphorbia ingens, diopyros.

The park has two well sited lodges, camping sites, caravan sites, and picnic sites. Firewood for your braai and cooking purposes can be purchased from the main park office.

The park has 2 lodges situated less than 2 kilometres from the main entrance and 500 metres from the main park office. The lodges have views which overlook the water body, have 2 bedrooms each with 2 beds.

There is a dining room, kitchen and bathroom with hot and cold running water for each lodge. All cooking utensils are provided complete with cutlery and crockery.

The kitchens are fully equipped with refrigrators and four plate stoves with grills.

Each lodge has an open air braai point where visitors can catch the fresh water breeze rising from the sprawling lake. The lodges have electricity for lighting and for energy.

The camping site is situated close to the launching point for boats making it an ideal camping point for both fishing enthusiasts and water sport enthusiasts.

There are communal ablution blocks with bathrooms and showers providing both hot and cold running water.

Water points and braai points are dotted around the camping site, while the lake is only a stone's throw away for those who may need fresh untreated water.

For those campers who may need electricity for their sites, it can be sourced from the nearby ablution block.

In such cases the Parks authorities encourage you to carry long extension cables in the event that your site may be situated a few metres away from the ablution block.

The camp site and caravan site share the same ablution facilities. Firewood for your braai and cooking purposes can be purchased from the main park office.

The picnic sites are sprinkled along the north-western shore of the lake. The beauty of the lake can be savoured from the 10 rondavels at the picnic site.

Each picnic rondavel has its own individual braai point. There is also an ablution block in close proximity to all the rondavels.

The following are some of the main activities offered at Darwendale Recreational Park:

- Fishing, angling

- Boating, water skiing, yatching

- Camping

- Picnicking

- Walking

- Bird watching

Chinhoyi Caves - The Chinhoyi Caves consist of a system of tunnels, dark caverns & sunlit pools.

Explore The Wonder Hole, a large collapsed cavern whose walls drop vertically down into the depths of the unbelievably blue and crystal clear Sleeping Pool.

Historically, the first white man believed to have discovered the Caves was Frederick Selous, the famous European hunter, during his wanderings in 1887.

It was believed that prior to that the Caves were being used as a stronghold by an outlaw called Nyamakwere who murdered many victims by throwing them into the "Silent Pool".

The notorious Nyamakwere was eventually defeated and killed by a Headman called Chinhoyi who became a Mashona Chief, hence the name Chinhoyi given to the nearby town.

Chief Chinhoyi and his followers used the Caves as a refuge from raiding tribes such as the Matebele. Until a few years ago the remains of Chief Chinhoyi's grain bins could be seen in some of the underground passages.

The traditional name for the Caves is "Chirorodziva" which means the "Pool of the Fallen". The name was derived from an incident which took place in the 1830s when the Angoni Tribe, who were moving northwards surprised people living near the Caves and flung them into the pool.

The area close to the caves was first declared a National Monument and in 1957 it was declared a National Park with its existing boundaries. It was then redesignated as a Recreational Park in 1975.

The Caves consist of a system of tunnels and caverns. This system is a dying one (in geological time spans), in that they are slowly collapsing. These collapses can be noticed by the sink holes and depressions within the surrounding area.

The Wonder Hole, which is the main feature of the Caves, is in fact a "swallow hole" or a large cavern with a collapsed roof.

The walls or sides of the Wonder Hole drop vertically down for 150 feet to the Sleeping Pool. The pool is unbelievably blue and crystal clear which reflects great depth and non-flowing water.

Exploration by the Zimbabwe Sub-Aqua Spelaelogical Research Group has revealed that the depth of the water in the Sleeping Pool varies between 80 metres and 91 metres.

This fluctuation in depths is attributable to the amount of rainfall received in a particular season. Several under water passages have been found leading from the Sleeping Pool, but all those so far explored lead back into the Pool.

Near the end of the Dark Cave is a small cavern accessible only to diver known as the Blind Cave. A second one connects with the Sleeping Pool 58 metres below the surface and the third one is yet to be fully explored.

The Caves are composed mainly of the sunlit "Sleeping Pool" and the artificially lit Dark Cave.

The Sleeping Pool 46 metres below the ground level is accessible in two ways:

- Through the main entrance with an inclined passage, where the view of the water has been compared to the famous Blue Grotto of Capri

- Through the Dark Cave, which leads down steps and along a narrow passage to a point just above the water at the far side of the Sleeping Pool.

The exit from the Dark Cave is demanding, as the steps are very steep.

Therefore, less agile visitors would be well advised to avoid this latter option.

It seems probable that further caves remain to be discovered. Research suggests that the water in the cave is connected to an even bigger body of water in view of the fact that the temperature in the Sleeping Pool never varies from 22 degrees Celsius.

Excavations in and near the Caves have revealed that people have stayed around the area from early times. Pottery and human remains were unearthed from the area which radio-carbon dated around AD 650.

Although Chinhoyi Caves Recreational Park covers a large area only 20 acres of it in the vicinity of the actual Caves are used by the public. The remainder of the Park is largely taken up with dolomite mining claims and wooded scrubland.

The Picnic sites and camp sites are serviced by three ablution blocks with hot and cold water, baths, toilets and showers.

The Park's flora is made up largely of indigenous species and a few exotics. In the indigenous group, there are: Mukwa (pterocarpus angolencis), Cape Fig (ficus capensis), Combretum species, Terminalia species, Msasa (brachystegia), Violet tree (securidaca longipediculata), Yellow wood (monotas glaber) and Pink Jacaranda (stereospermum).

Although birds are not numerous, there is a wide variety of species, especially during the dry months of winter.

The Park's bird diversity includes the Arnot's Chat, Angola Rock Thrush, Mocking Chat, Large Striped Pipit, Woodpecker species, Black Tit, Redwing Starling, Batis, Flycatcher, Penduline Tit, Glossy Starling, Bat Hawk, Tree Creeper, Familiar Chat, Paradise Flycatcher and other species.

There are virtually no large animals in the Park. However, monkeys, baboons, bushpigs and rock hares can occasionally be sighted.

Activities

- Photographing - scenic photographs can be taken from the Viewpoint of the

- Wonder Hole

- Exploring the caves

- Leisurely strolls in the Park

- Picnicking

Amanzi Restaurant - Situated in the heart of the Northern Suburbs of Harare, Amanzi Restaurant is set well back from the road in 4 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens.

An old farmhouse, architecturally converted to a stylish modern restaurant, Amanzi has the capacity to seat 100 people.

Its versatile interior, with rooms linked through open arches, guests can sit in one of 2 main rooms, a private function room or the large terrace surrounding the restaurant.

The décor is a sophisticated blend of interior styles created to form a backdrop for unusual collections of African antiquities and contemporary art. The water feature is stocked with koi carp, and is floodlit at night.

The property is noted for its collection of indigenous trees, predominately msasa, and colourful shrubs, which provide a cool, restful atmosphere.

Amanzi Restaurant has recently gone green! Lime, leaf, sage and avocado - the full range of the green palette, has given the interior décor a whole fresh new look.

A look in line with Amanzi's philosophy of eco-conciousness: many ingredients used in Amanzi's kitchens are organically grown in our own garden; kitchen scraps are composted; paper, glass and plastic are recycled; staff are trained in energy saving practices.

Amanzi offers its customers "fusion" cuisine - a combination of the best food taken from different countries & cultures around the world.

The concept behind the new A La Carte menu at Amanzi Restaurant is Fusion Cuisine. It is an exciting and creative blend of Eastern and Western elements, combined together on one plate.

Recipes created for the menu are inspired from spices and ingredients from Nigeria, Morocco, Thailand, Japan, Mexico, the Mediterranean and back again to Zimbabwe. The current new menu offers a wide variety of fusion tapas-style starters for the casual diner.

These can form the basis of a formal four-course meal when enjoyed with soups, main courses and a selection of delicious desserts. Or just pop in for a plate of tapas and a drink.

At Amanzi the choice is yours! they stock a comprehensive and unusual collection of both local and imported wines.

They are open for both Lunch and Dinner, and cater for cocktail parties, wedding parties and corporate functions.

Open Monday to Saturday from 12pm for lunch and from 7pm for dinner.

Seating

- Fire Room - 25 people

- Main Room - 25 people

- Private Room - 12 people

- Terrace - 38 people

Special Occasions: They will be happy to quote for weddings, cocktail parties, birthdays & Christmas parties.

National Herbarium and Botanic Garden - The 58-hectare National Botanic Gardens contain examples of the diverse plant life that thrive in Harare's pleasant climate.

Most Zimbabwean species are represented, as well as specimens from Southern Africa. It's a great place to spend the day. One can walk one's dog, have a light meal in the restaurant and generally enjoy the situation.

For anyone interested in Zimbabwe plants this is one definate place to visit.

The National Herbarium and Botanic Garden is a center for research and information on the indigenous plants of Zimbabwe. It s responsible for the study of Zimbabwe flora in order to promote its conservation, development and sustainable use.

Its mission is To Increase Knowledge and Appreciation of Zimbabwean Plants. It fulfills this mission by looking after the plant specimens that are the essential resource material required in studying plant characters in order to arrive at their identity and names.

The National Herbarium stores preserved plant specimens while the living specimens are grown in the National Botanic Garden.

The Herbarium has about 500 000 plant specimens. It is the main reference center for research on identifying and naming plants of the Flora Zambesiaca Region.

This region comprises Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Botswana and the Caprivi.

The Botanic Garden grows over 900 trees and shrubs of Zimbabwe in groups to show the associations that are found in various parts of the country. It has sections with trees of the Highveld, Lowveld and Eastern Highlands.

Also growing are a number of trees from other countries that have climatic conditions similar to Zimbabwe e.g. Asia and Australia.

The Education Centre disseminates information on the plants of Zimbabwe and the plant kingdom in general to educational institutions especially schools.

Aims and Objectives

To conserve, enhance and curate Zimbabwe's principal collection of botanical specimens for national and international reference and study.

To do scientific research and documentation on Zimbabwean plants and plant communities based on the herbarium collection and field surveys
To provide botanical services to Government Departments, NGOs, students, researchers and the public.

To provide a focal point for the international network of herbaria, in order to facilitate research on the flora of Zimbabwe and the region by national and international researchers.

To provide a pleasant and peaceful environment in which the Harare community can enjoy activities that are compatible with Botanic Garden management.

To raise revenue that will help in the development and maintenance of the National Herbarium and Botanic Garden.

Facilities

The Botanic Garden Restaurant / Teahouse
This is open daily from 0730 hours to 1800 hours.

Auditorium

This open-air-under-thatch building is hired out for meetings and workshops.

Venue for Photography / Films

The Botanic Garden is a popular spot for wedding photos, especially around the lake. It is also used by a number of companies in the shooting of films and adverts.

The Desert House

In this house are plants from the dry areas of Southern Africa.

Mazowe Botanic Reserve - This is a 48-hactare outstation of the National Herbarium and Botanic Garden. It is located some 30km North of Harare in Christonbank Township.

It provides a good example of the vegetation of the highveld (miombo). The Reserve has over 300 plant species representing about 70 families.

Kuimba Shiri Bird Park - Kuimba Shiri Bird Park is situated on the shores of Lake Chivero, in a National Park boasting over 460 species of indigenous birds in the wild.

Established over 20 years ago Kuimba Shiri Bird Park is the only bird park in Zimbabwe and is home to orphaned, injured and abandoned birds.

Kuimba Shiri Bird Park is situated on the shores of Lake Chivero, in a National Park boasting over 460 species of indigenous birds in the wild.

Established over 20 years ago Kuimba Shiri Bird Park is the only bird park in Zimbabwe and is home to orphaned, injured and abandoned birds.

The bird park was founded by owner and falconer, Gary Stafford, whilst he was training eagles for a number of BBC WILDLIFE documentaries including “Eagles “ and “The Life of Birds”.

Kuimba Shiri boasts the first free flying bird display in Africa. Their birds of prey are flown daily at 16:00hrs.

Visitors can enjoy waterfront chalets or the camp site and fish for carp, bream and bass to name a few. They hosted two Tri-Nations Bank Angling competitions in 2006 and 2009. In 2009 five international records were broken in three days of fishing.

Guests can enjoy game viewing by boat and a tasty meal at the Admiral’s Cabin Restaurant, whilst enjoying the spectacular view of the vast Lake. Sunday afternoons can be spent relaxing under the Msasa trees listening to live music. An ideal family venue, run by a family, for families.

Bird Park

Kuimba Shiri Bird Park is now enjoying a long overdue facelift, after nearly ten years of economic turmoil. They are home to an ever increasing number of orphaned and injured birds.

The bird park is important as it offers a home to birds that otherwise would have died, offering an opportunity to educate people and allow these birds to breed in captivity, where the offspring may be released.

The National Parks surrounding Kuimba Shiri Bird Park will keep birdwatchers busy marking off in excess of 460 species from their bird list including the “Spotted Creeper”.

Top recognised international Falconers have visited to enjoy flights with Peregrine and Lanner Falcons not to mention their African Goshawk, Ovambo Sparrow Hawk and African Hawk Eagles

Activities

Boating & Game Viewing

A cruise in a speed boat 7 kilometers across the lake brings you into the Game Park, where if you are lucky, you can sneak up to White Rhino grazing the water hyacinths only a few meters away.

Other game to be spotted along the lake shore are Giraffe, Zebra, Impala, Ostrich, Eland, Waterbuck, Crocodile and a host of water birds.

Alternatively, guests can enjoy water tubing, or for those wanting to chill and relax, a late afternoon sunset booze cruise.

Fishing

Kuimba Shiri Bird Park hosted the Tri-Nations bank angling competition between Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia in 2006 & 2009. The largest fish caught, in this off season event, was a carp weighing in at approx. 9kg. Other fish caught were barbel, bream and bass.

Their favourite competition is the annual “Rapala Kid’s Classic” which last year attracted over 100 entrants. This competition epitomises commitment to family values, as it encourages fathers to fish with their children.

All the children are winners as they all receive a prize. The children may catch fish off the bank or from a boat. Favourite fishing spots on the lake are along ” Vorley Bay”, ” M.O.T.H Island ” or “Crocodile Creek”.

Horse Riding

An hour long outride can be arranged for an enjoyable hack through the old farmlands and along the stream that flows into Hippo Creek.

Marina

Admiral’s Cabin Marina is one of the oldest operating marina’s, with a concrete slipway and the deepest harbour on the lake. Their tractor will launch and recover your boat and they also have fuel, oil, drinks, ice and snacks available.

Live Music

Sunday afternoons can be spent relaxing under the Msasa trees listening to live music provided by their resident band “Cornerstone”.

Sunday’s are an ideal day out for the whole family. Whilst Mom and Dad are enjoying a meal from the Admiral’s Cabin restaurant, the children can play in the pool, ride a pony or fish in the harbour.

Cornerstone is a four-piece band and regularly perform at parties and weddings, entertaining with their unique style of music. Lead singer Stuart, an accomplished flutist and harp player, is joined by lead and rhythm guitarist Gerald, bass player Sidney and Steve on drums.

Conferences & Camps

The Conference facility is capable of hosting up to 20 delegates & has proved popular with groups wanting to get away from the City’s hustle and bustle. Overnight accommodation, meals, drinks and tea are available.

School groups book children’s camps in the five “barrack” rooms overlooking a ” Dare” (a campfire meeting place) where children visit the bird park, the National Park and enjoy all the other facilities available.

Kuimba Shiri has seven well appointed ”A” framed thatched chalets, comprising of en suite shower, wc and basin and power points. Each chalet has one double bed and up to three single beds per unit.

The chalets are 10 metres from the waterfront overlooking “Hippo Creek” and the magnificent Msasa covered Hunyani Hills in the back ground.

The Camping Site is situated alongside the chalets, nestled under the Msasa trees & has the same spectacular view as the chalets.

Ewanrigg Botanical Garden - Ewanrigg Botanical Garden is situated north-east of Harare. The most accessible road is the Shamva road.

Visitors to Harare should take the Enterprise road, passing through Newlands and Highlands, continuing on the highway until the Shamva and Mutoko road junction is reached approximately 29 km from Harare.

Take the left fork sign posted Shamva road and follow this road until you reach the sign post indicating a right turn, Christian Road, and drive 4 km to Ewanrigg Botanical Garden.

Christian is a loop road which links the Shamva road and the Mutoko roads, hence the alternative is to use the Mutoko road. The Muoko road should always be avoided during the rainy season, owing to a high flow of water over the low causeway at the Mvinzi River.

Generally, the roads are always kept in good condition throughout the year.

Ewanrigg Botanical Garden is noted for its wide collection of indigenous and exotic plants and is one of the world's largest aloe and cycad gardens. It has a calm and peaceful environment, scenic views and wide variety of plant species.

Ewanrigg Botanical Garden owes its origin to the late Mr. Harold Basil Christian. Mr. Christian came to the then Rhodesia in 1914 as a farmer. He later turned his attention to botany and horticulture.

It was in the field of botany and in the study of the genus aloe that he made many valuable scientific contributions.

Building on his success with aloes, he later turned his attention to a cycad collection.

In his garden which covered, 1,5 hectares, a very comprehensive collection of aloes, cycads and many species of small succulent plants was acquired - all of which were planted with considerable care and particular attention to their physical arrangement.

Some months prior to his death in 1950, he donated his garden with some additional land to the Governement. The cultivated area was very small, comprising some 1.6ha.

During the past 40 years, considerable development has been made. When the garden was eventually opened to the public and became widely known throughout the region, the need for expansion was identified in order to capture the interest of visitors throughout the year.

With this in mind many hectares of land were brought under cultivation incorporating several features that include spacious lawns with grouped trees and shrubs, a water garden and collections of cactii and bougainvillea.

Progress made over the past few years has brought 100 hectares under cultivation.

Ewanrigg has become widely known abroad and possibly the most favourable outcome of Mr. Christian's work has been the garden's capacity to create meaningful plant specie exchanges with other botanical gardens and numerous plant collectors as well as to create a richly endowed botanical habitat for both indigenous and exotic species.

Ewanrigg has now become one of the largest aloe and cycad gardens in the world.

The area is predominantly a habitat for the indigenous miombo wooodland, which is the most common in the garden, with brachstagia species and parinari species appearing here and there.

Exotic species have also been introduced in the landscaped regions of the Garden.

Picnic Site

The serene, calm and scenic environment of the gardens make Ewanrigg an ideal picnicking area. The sites are well serviced with ablution facilities, braai stands and water points.

For those that may need to sweat a little there is an open ground where visitors can play volleyball and many other ball games.

Activities

Garden viewing - aloe viewing is ideal from May to September when the aloes are in bloom

Winter time bird watching - aloes and cycads attract a wide variety of bird species.

When in bloom, aloes and cycads become a special fascination for sunbirds, which at times concentrate in large numbers to obtain nectar

Bird watchers should make this a key port of call

- Picnicking

- Photographing

- Walks - guided and unguided

However, an increasing number of foreign airlines are flying into Harare these days.

They include South African Airways with direct flights from Johannesburg. Ethiopian Airlines from Addis Ababa, Kenya Airways from Nairobi, TAAG Angola Airlines from Luanda and Egypt Air from Cairo via Dar es Salaam and KLM from Amsterdam.

Taxis from the airport to the main hotels cost $25. This exhorbitant fixed price, given the relatively short distance and great age of the taxis, is attributed by the drivers to the high fees that they have to pay to the airport authority.

Bulawayo sees departures three times a week at 8PM, arriving next morning around 8AM. $12 for a sleeper and $10 for a seat.

Trains from Mutare at the border with Mozambique runs three times a week departing Mutare also at 9PM, arrival time in Harare is early morning at 6AM. $7 for 1st class sleeper. $5 for 2nd class sleeper.

There are currently no international trains to Harare except occasional cruise trains.

Harare railway station is located on Kenneth Kaunda Ave, just south of the city centre.

A good road from Johannesburg allows easy access. However, be careful of the sometimes frightening drops at the side of the roads, at the edge of the tarmac, particularly with oncoming trucks at night. In fact, night driving is not advised.

Buses from Johannesburg are easily available ranging from Eagle Liner (for R330). Greyhound (for R450) and Intercape (R420). The bus takes between 16-24 hours. Delays at the border are very common and typically range 3-8 h, but they can be as much as 20 h at Christmas time.

Intercape, which has the largest intercity network in southern Africa also have buses from Mutare, Masvingo, Gweru, and Bulawayo.

Most ordinary long-distance bus services arrive at the Mbare Terminal, located 3 km southwest of the Central district. The terminal itself is giant, hectic, confusing, and dangerous.

There are several disconnected regions of the terminal, and finding something as simple as a taxi can require walking over 500 m through markets and alleys.

Although minibuses to Mbare depart from the 4th Street Terminal in Central located at 4th and Mugabe, it may be worth taking a taxi, which will be able to find a bus to your destination for you.

Luxury buses including Eagle Liner/Greyhound/Intercape arrive and depart from the modern Roadport terminal at 5th & Mugabe.

Harare is very spread out. The best option to get around is by car, which is easier now that dollarization has made fuel shortages a thing of the past. Fuel is freely available at most outlets for cash or through a coupon system.

Most operators now import fuel by themselves and prices are independently set. Most service stations close at around p.m. although there are a number that offer 24-hour service.

Taxis: in 4+1 style taxis, it is very common to fit as many as 8 people inside. Rides around town should cost about $5 for the entire cab at night, typically $2 or $3 during the day, unless you are going to the suburbs. Make sure you negotiate the price before you get inside the car

Minibus taxis are readily available with frequent services between central and all suburbs. Ask around for the terminal for your destination. Typically the fare is about $0.50c.

There is a strong appreciation for the city's cultural and historical heritage and a number of the older buildings have been preserved.

The Mining Pension Fund Building at Central Avenue and Second Street is one example and many more are to be found along Robert Mugabe Road between Second Street and Julius Nyerere Way.

National Gallery of Zimbabwe. Houses not only a valuable and interesting national collection but also hosts travelling international exhibitions and has a permanent display of some outstanding Shona soft-stone carvings.

National Heroes Arc.

National Archives. Houses a priceless collection of Rhodesiana and Africana in the form of diaries, notebooks and reports of various origins. Some of the original works of some of the greatest names in African exploration and missionary can be viewed.

Zimbabwe Museum of Human Sciences. Formerly the Queen Victoria Museum.

Harare City Library. Formerly the Queen Victoria Memorial Library

The Kopje. A granite hill rising above the southwest corner of central Harare, is a great place to go for views of the city.

Chapungu Sculpture Park. The vast number of rocks of black serpentine stone found around Zimbabwe, and noticeable even as you drive in from the airport, have encouraged the development of stone carvings by Zimbabwe's talented artists.

This large area has exhibitions by numerous artists.

Harare Botanical Gardens, Sandringham Dr. 68ha and hosts more than 900 species of wild trees and shrubs from all over the country.

Mukuvisi Woodlands, Hillside Rd, 277 hectares of remarkably preserved natural woodland that straddles the banks of the small Mukuvisi stream. A variety of bird and of wild animal species such as giraffe, zebra, impala, tsessche, wildebeest, bushbuck, steenbuck, reed buck and eland can be viewed.

All purchases in larger stores are made with US dollars, which is the national currency.

Anything made locally is inexpensive. Packets of Zimbabwe cigarettes cost $0.50. Everything that is imported is relatively expensive compared to South Africa. Cans of Coca-cola typically cost $1, for example.

If you want to experience shopping the way it is traditionally done in many African countries, you could stroll around at the open flea-market at Mbare.

Here tourists could feast their eyes on a colourful array of baskets, food, clothing and other items.

ATMs give US dollars. The ATMs at Ecobank, Stanbic, Standard Charted will accept most international Visa or Master cards'

Eastgate Centre, Robert Mugabe Rd. One of the largest shopping malls in Harare, centrally located.

Spar Supermarkets. there are 64 Spar stores all over Zimbabwe.

TM-Pick N Pay Supermarkers. there are over 50 TM-Pick N Pay stores all over Zimbabwe.

OK Supermarkets. there are over 50 OK stores in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe's staple food is Sadza: a thick white porridge a bit like mashed potato, that's made from corn (maize) meal. It's eaten at every meal, accompanied by vegetables or meat in some form.

In Harare there are many westernised restaurants serving European or American style food, but far more exciting are the outdoor cafes:

Cafe espresso on Cork Road, Avondale, Harare has a brilliantly landscaped garden and a wifi spot - excellent coffees
40 Cork Road, Avondale, Harare is an outdoor cafe, art gallery, and sculpture garden. Very much the place to be seen.

167 Enterprise Road, Chisipite, Harare - an old house converted into a restaurant with a huge garden with a pool, an art shop, gallery etc.

With the dollarisation of the economy, there has been a big increase in the number of restaurants and coffee shops in Harare. The Zimbabwe Tourism website has also recently been upgraded.

Amanzi Restaurant, 158 Enterprise Road, Highlands. Generally considered Harare's best restaurant, Amanzi is a long ($10-15 each way) drive out of town into the upmarket suburbs but worth it. A booking is essential, or you probably will not get past the gatekeeper.

2 Coimbra, 61 Selous Avenue, corner 7th St,$5 taxi ride from the main hotels. This Portuguese restaurant has invested little in the decor but that is no problem. You go for the food, not the wall decorations, and the food is very good. Quick Service - Half a Chicken and Chips only $10 $25.

Try Chibuku, a popular local beer. It comes in "scuds" - large 2 litre brown plastic containers. The beer is lumpy and opaque beige, but is good and painfully cheap.

Shake-shake is prepackaged sorghum beer brewed in the traditional African style and is very thick and filling, and comes in milk cartons.

The locally brewed Castle, Lion, Zambesi and Bohlingers are definitely worth trying.

Harare has a vibrant club scene that goes on until the early hours.

Stars, located next to the Rainbow hotel, is a high class bar/club/lounge that plays hip hop and house music. It can be expensive but a lot of fun.

Symphony is a hip hop club/lounge very similar to Stars.

Globe Trotters, also known as GT, is a much less expensive club.

Balcony is very similar to Globe Trotters.

Beverlino Restaurant, 100 Nelson Mandela Corner Fourth/Nelson Mandela (Opposite Quality International Hotel. Beverlino Restaurant, well known for its baskets, offered a wide range of food and beverages prepared to your taste.

Wherever, you are in town, the warm savoury food will be brought to your door step. Place an order for food now.

The city boasts an internationally recognized 5 star hotel (The Meikles Hotel), but also has a significant number of three to four star hotels that offer affordable accommodation without compromising on quality.

These include The Crowne Plaza Monomotapa, The Cresta Lodge and The Holiday Inn. There is now only one cheap backpackers lodge. Harare also has quite a number of bed and breakfast/guest houses, mostly set in former residential houses with extensive gardens.

Small World Backpackers Lodge, five avenue and Ninth street in down town Harare. and At the corner of Ridge and Argyle in Avondale.

It costs $12 per person in the dorm and $7 per person camping. some private rooms are available. the only backpacker hostel in Harare. $7/$12.

Bowood Lodge, est House, 8, Gu Bowood Road, Mount Pleasant, North Harare, has 4 double rooms. It is set in beautiful grounds and has internet and a pool.

Very peaceful. Costs are around $75 per night for bed & breakfast. Evening meals are also available.

Cresta Oasis, Nelson Mandela Way. Three-star hotel just to the east of the Central Business District (walkable during the day, not advisable at night). Around $100.

Simba Harare, est House, 522, Gu Westgate, New Adyllin, North Harare, has 8 double rooms, and a large swimming pool. Own water supply (borehole) and el (Solar energy). Internet. Safe.

Costs are from $20 per night (cabin) to $ 50(Main House) for bed & breakfast.Larger groups have been accommodated. Airport pickup arranged per request.

1 Crowne Plaza Monomotapa, 54 Park Ln, Northwest corner of the Central Business District. Backing onto the Harare Gardens park, this moon-shaped hotel provides comfortable accommodation.

2 Holiday Inn, Samora Machel Ave.

3 Meikles Hotel, Jason Moyo Avenue,Next to Africa Unity Square. Despite the problems experienced in Zimbabwe in recent years Meikles has managed to maintain its standards as one of Africa's best hotels.

All the usual amenities and excellent service. Prices start at $200 per night.

WiFi is available around the city provided by private from as little one as 1 USD

Walking around the town after dark should be avoided. If you leave your hotel to visit restaurants, take a taxi.

Epworth Balancing Rocks are located on Chiremba Road, 10km Southwest of Central. Looks for the signs on the left. 4th Street Terminal has frequent minibus services to the Balacing Rocks--the driver will know where to let you out.

Be careful of your personal safety inside the park. The cost is between $2 and $10 per person depending on the situation.

The condition of the roads in Zimbabwe has deteriorated dramatically in recent years since the government has failed to maintain them. Most of the country is now without street lights.

The main highways are still in a good state of repair outside of the cities: traffic is so light now that damage from trucks is minimal. You should be all right without a 4x4 unless you head into rural areas and game parks.

If you enter from South Africa, be sure that your insurance waiver is valid for travel in Zimbabwe.



Tourism Observer

RWANDA: More Destinations For RwandAir

RwandAir has now launched its seventh West Africa destination, Abidjan, as part of the airline’s continued rollout of new countries important to its strategy to connect Africa via Kigali.

This follows the start of commercial flights on Rwanda Air a month ago to Cotonou and both new destinations are expected to begin feeding traffic into the WB network via Kigali to Eastern and Southern Africa, Dubai and soon to India’s commercial capital of Mumbai.

The recently acquired first Airbus A330-200 by Rwanda Air is meanwhile making yet more maiden appearances across RwandAir’s network with the most recent deployment taking the new bird to Cotonou, Libreville and Douala, where travel agents, corporate clients, invited guests from government, diplomatic corps and the business community were able to tour the aircraft while it was on the ground in the respective cities.

Named ‘Ubumwe‘, a Kinyarwanda word for Unity, will the aircraft now commence commercial flights four times a week to Dubai first before the arrival of a second Airbus A330-300 in November will then pave the way to launch operations to Mumbai.

The airline is banking on the aircraft’s superior inflight comfort and three class cabin configuration which offers Business Class, a dedicated cabin for 21 Premium Economy Seats and an Economy Class with 18 inch seats, the widest presently on offer by commercial airlines.

RwandAir will put several schedule changes into place, aimed to make travel to and from Southern African countries faster and easier, and offering seamless connections into their trans-Africa network and to their new intercontinental destinations.

Johannesburg will revert to nonstop flights, with several traffic days earmarked for a second daily service between Kigali and South Africa’s commercial hub. This change will also facilitate onward travel to Cape Town or Durban – and vice versa – which the current schedule makes difficult at best.

Come January next year, RwandAir will put several schedule changes into place, aimed to make travel to and from Southern African countries faster and easier, and offering seamless connections into their trans-Africa network and to their new intercontinental destinations.

Johannesburg will revert to nonstop flights, with several traffic days earmarked for a second daily service between Kigali and South Africa’s commercial hub. This change will also facilitate onward travel to Cape Town or Durban – and vice versa – which the current schedule makes difficult at best.

New destination Harare, Zimbabwe will, when launched in mid January, be combined with Lusaka, Zambia in a standalone triangular service routing KGL – LUN – HRE – KGL. Flights will in fact be raised from the present three times a week to LUN to five flights a week at that stage January.

The introduction of long haul services to Mumbai and later in 2017 to London will see RwandAir tap into the market of connecting passengers with yet greater determination, to make sure that they can fill their new Airbus A330’s but also carry more traffic into their Eastern and West African networks.

All flights to South Africa will be operated on Boeing 737 aircraft and, while no confirmation has been received as yet, there is speculation that the flights from Kigali to HRE and LUN will see the Bombardier CRJ900 deployed on that route.

The lack of slots for flights from Kigali to London Heathrow is seen as the key reason why RwandAir is now eying Gatwick, the UK capital’s second busiest airport.

The airline’s CEO Mr. John Mirenge, while speaking in Abidjan / Ivory Coast after the official inaugural flight to RwandAir’s latest African destination, gave the clearest indication yet that by 2018 Europe will be on the map for Rwanda’s national carrier.

During the runup of the delivery ceremony of the airline’s first Airbus A330 in Toulouse a few weeks ago did Mr. Mirenge also mention that London may be combined with another European waypoint but would not commit if that could be Frankfurt or another European gateway. At present does RwandAir only operate in codeshare with Brussels Airlines to the European capital.

Following the delivery of two additional aircraft in November, a brand new Boeing B737-800NG and a larger Airbus A330-300 variant is a widening of destinations expected in both Africa and beyond with Mumbai the first intercontinental target of the airline’s relentless expansion drive, fully backed incidentally by the Rwanda government.

In a related development are results due to be announced very soon of the IATA audit on Safe Ground Operations, in short ISAGO, which will certify RwandAir’s ground handling unit to be compliant with global best practice and standards.

MALAWI: Fly Malawi Airlines

Domestic Flights

BLANTYRE
With Malawi Airlines known for our on-time performance, you are rest assured of being on time for your meeting or business in Blantyre courtesy of our daily morning flights to the commercial capital. Our Bombardier Q400 departs Lilongwe every morning at 08:30 and arrives in Blantyre at 09:10, Monday through Sunday. Book your flight to Blantyre today. Experience our unbeatable on-time performance. Fly Malawi Airlines.

LILONGWE
Our daily afternoon flights to Lilongwe from Blantyre offer you wonderful opportunity to go about your business in the commercial capital with no stress at all knowing Malawi Airlines is there to take you back to the Capital City. Our Boeing 737-700 departs Blantyre at 15:55 and arrives in Lilongwe at 16:35 Monday through Sunday. Book your flight to Lilongwe today. Experience our unbeatable on-time performance. Fly Malawi Airlines.

Regional Flights

Johannesburg
No more stress. Our daily morning flights to Johannesburg provide you great and convenient opportunity to do business in the Rainbow Nation and/or connect to the rest of the region and the world. Our Boeing 737-700 departs Lilongwe at 08:20 and arrives in Blantyre at 09:00 and later departs Blantyre for Johannesburg at 09:45. Book your flight to Johannesburg today. Experience our unbeatable on-time performance. Fly Malawi Airlines.

Nairobi
Introducing flights to Nairobi, four times a week, Wednesday through Saturday. From 29th March, 2017, Malawi Airlines will commence evening flights to Nairobi with our Boeing 737-700 departing Lilongwe for Nairobi at 17:45 every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Return flights from Nairobi to Lilongwe will be at 06:15 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays. Experience our unbeatable on-time performance. Experience the difference. Fly Malawi Airlines.

Lusaka
We fly to Lusaka four times a week on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Fly Malawi Airlines and experience our on-time performance at unbelievably affordable fares.

Harare
We fly to Harare four times a week on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Fly Malawi Airlines and experience our on-time performance at unbelievably affordable fares.

Dar es Salaam
We fly to Dar es Salaam four times a week on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Fly Malawi Airlines and experience our on-time performance at unbelievably affordable fares.

Zanzibar
From 5th April, 2017, Malawi Airlines will commence late afternoon flights to Zanzibar with our Bombardier Q400 departing Lilongwe for Zanzibar at 17:30 every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Return flights from Zanzibar to Lilongwe will be at 05:15 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and Sundays. Experience our unbeatable on-time performance. Experience the difference. Fly Malawi Airlines.

RWANDA: Rwandair To Fly To Mumbai And Harare Early April

RwandAir will fly to new destinations this April,Harare on the 01st of April with daily flights and then Mumbai on the 03rd of April with four flights a week.

The two cities will be served with Boeing B737NG and Airbus A330 aircraft respectively.

Harare will from April onwards be combined with Lusaka as flights to Johannesburg revert to nonstop services, also operated with Boeing B737NG aircraft.

Mumbai, RwandAir's first ever intercontinental destination, will see one of the airline's new Airbus A330's, configured with a Business, Premium Economy and Economy class layout deployed for the nonstop flights from Kigali.

Connectivity has been ensured through adjusted departure times, which allows traffic from RwandAir's continental network to feed into the new destinations.

Said Mr. John Mirenge, CEO of RwandAir, earlier today when making the announcement: 'We are delighted to enable new and seamless connections between more African cities and beyond the continent which goes along with creating more businesses and boost the various countries social and economic development'.

Also still on the drawing board for 2017 are additional African destinations as well as London and New York.

The addition of Harare and Mumbai will bring the number of destinations served by RwandAir to 21 with a total fleet of presently 11 aircraft, due to rise to 12 when in May a fourth Boeing B737-800NG will join.

Both Airbus A330's and the two new B737-800NG's offer WiFi on board, available to all passengers against a fee.
RwandAir, a member of IATA, is e-IOSA, ISAGO and EASA certified for safe flight and ground operations.

Botswana, Zimbabwe And Zambia Resume Univisa Or KAZA Visa

In time for the peak season of travel, over the Christmas and New Year holidays have Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana resumed issuing their UniVisa, or KAZA Visa.

The signing ceremony between the three countries was used to promote culture and heritage and common transboundary conservation areas, which can now be visited by foreign tourists under one Visa regime, to be issued at the airport of entry either being Harare, Lusaka or Gaborone.

The move is expected to provide a major incentive for foreign tourists to visit more than just one of the countries in the region, helping boost visitor numbers to the parks and key attractions like the Victoria Falls.

Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Swaziland and even South Africa are due to join the KAZA UniVisa in due course, opening up a large part of SADC for foreign tourists to enter and travel under one single Visa arrangement.

This form of Visa regime was first launched for the jointly hosted UNWTO General Assembly meeting allowing attendees to cross the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia at the Victoria Falls with complete ease.

In East Africa a similar modus operandum is in place between Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya whereby tourists can at their airport of entry ask for a common tourist Visa at the cost of 100 US Dollar, saving 50 US Dollars for those who intend to travel across all three countries.

But Tanzania does not participate in these arrangements, citing the need to capacity build first, raising acid questions what they have been doing over the past decades if they still lack the capacity today to integrate into the regional EAC bloc.

Jambojet To Fly Into East African Region

Jambojet, Kenya Airways' low cost subsidiary, has been flying on domesti routes for some time now but was last year also given the designation to fly into the Eastern African region.

Out of Nairobi does the airline serve the coastal destinations of Lamu, Malindi, Mombasa and Ukunda while also operating flights to Eldoret and Kisumu.

Comments attributed to the airline's CEO Willem Hondius however now suggest that the airline could turn its attention to widening its network and begin flights into the Eastern African region, which if correct will no doubt intensify the battle for the skies with airlines like Fastjet, also a low cost carrier presently operating out of Dar es Salaam to Nairobi and Entebbe, while serving Zanzibar, Kilimanjaro, Mwanza and Mbeya on domestic routes.

Lusaka, Harare, Lilongwe and Johannesburg are additional destinations FN flies to out of Dar.

Jambojet's air service license allows them, subject to landing rights from the respective countries' civil aviation and transport authorities, to target Entebbe, Juba and Dar es Salaam, among other overall 9 regional destinations.

For East Africa's aviation pundits it is of particular interest that Entebbe is a likely early target, as Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni last week laid into airlines of EAC member states and NCIP countries, short for Northern Corridor Integration Projects, otherwise also known as the coalition of the willing in the EAC to fast track various developments.

President Museveni declared that the country felt let down over the high level of airfares when he told his new cabinet that the formation of a national airline therefore should be a priority, no doubt rattling the cages of the leading regional carriers from Addis to Nairobi.

Should indeed Jambojet opt to begin operations from Nairobi to Entebbe - Kenya Airways presently flies five times a day and serves both point to point traffic but most notably connecting traffic into the wider region and the rest of Africa - it could indeed lead to lower fare levels, taking the wind out of plans to relaunch a Ugandan national carrier.

'When you look at traffic numbers between Nairobi and Entebbe, remember that Air Uganda, before the Ugandan CAA killed that airline off, flew three times on working days and twice over the weekend alongside Kenya Airways' five daily frequencies.

Now there are some smaller airlines from Kenya on the route but their passenger numbers are relatively low as they only offer point to point to Nairobi, no frequent flyer bonuses, less desirable departure times and most important, they operate oldish aircraft.

Now were Jambojet to come to Entebbe they would probably start off with one flight a day before expanding to twice a day but the main challenge for them will be the aircraft they use. Their B737's are probably too large with over 140 seats to make economic sense and their two leased Bombardier Q400, with less than 80 seats more suitable, are fully occupied with flights in Kenya.

They would need to source additional aircraft and when that happens it will give us a better idea how they intend to roll out into the region.

Air Uganda's initial success was based on their use of CRJ200's with just 50 seats and break even on such an aircraft is much easier to accomplish than on a relatively larger Boeing. Turboprops are also planes of choice because they too operate at lower cost than a jet and breakeven is accomplished with more ease than when using larger jets.

If Entebbe becomes their first destination, they will clearly lay down a challenge to any new upstart from Uganda because the more crowded the skies are, the bigger will be the challenge to a start up airline to capture that vital traffic share.

Air Uganda took several years and those fundamentals have not changed much' offered a regular source as his opinion when discussing Jambojet's apparent expansion plans.

The speculation over Jambojet's regional plans was further fueled when news broke over the weekend that the airline employed a fully fledged CFO amid rumours that Kenya's main LCC had gone active in the market to source additional aircraft.

Out of Entebbe does RwandAir presently also fly twice a day to and from Nairobi under fifth freedom rights and is said to be eying a third daily flight, made more viable through the triangular routing which always includes one leg either to or from Kigali.

Watch this space for breaking and regular aviation news from across the entire Eastern African region and Indian Ocean islands.

ZANZIBAR: Fastjet Wins At World Travel Awards In Zanzibar

Fastjet, the low-cost pan-African airline, has won Africa's Leading Low-Cost Airline Award at the 23rd Annual World Travel Awards held in Zanzibar, Tanzania last Saturday night at a Gala Dinner Award Ceremony held at the Diamonds La Gemma dell' Est.

The globally recognised World Travel Awards reward and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel tourism & hospitality industry.

Africa's Leading Low-Cost Airline Award, which is voted for by travel and tourism professionals and consumers worldwide, is in recognition of fastjet’s services of making air travel more affordable, safe and reliable across its pan-African network.

'Being recognised and accepting this award not only reflects our commitment to air-travel excellence, but the impact we endeavour to make on the African continent' said Jai Gilbert, Head of Marketing at fastjet. 'We are immensely proud to receive such high industry recognition and fastjet will continue to make low-cost air-travel accessible to more people on the African continent'.

The low-cost airline was launched in November 2012 and operates five domestic routes in Tanzania from Dar es Salaam to Mbeya, Mwanza and Kilimanjaro and since early this year also twice a day to Zanzibar. Fastjet’s growing network also services routes between international destinations such as Johannesburg, Harare, Victoria Falls, Entebbe, Nairobi and Lusaka.

fastjet expects many of its passengers on the routes it services to be first time flyers who, because of prohibitively high fares, could previously not afford to travel by air.

Supporting this statement is recent research undertaken by the airline, showing that up to 40% of passengers on all routes were first time flyers able to afford air travel for the first time, thanks to fastjet’s low fares.

ZIMBABWE: AirZimTo Pay London $3million Debt

AIR Zimbabwe is still negotiating with a London navigation agency to clear its $3 million debt to enable it to resume flights on the Harare-London route, a Cabinet minister said.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joram Gumbo said in an interview that negotiations were underway with the debtor to enable Air Zim to resume flights to British capital.

“Our aim is to resume flights on Harare-London route. As such, we’re negotiating with creditors that we owe on that route,” he said.

Air Zim has done well to service common domestic routes including Harare, Bulawayo, Victoria Falls and Kariba, but it has struggled to replicate this service on regional and international routes.

Minister Gumbo has hitherto indicated that the lucrative Harare-London route would continue to be preserved for Air Zim, as it sorts out its chronic legacy issues prior to resuming the flights.

The Harare-London remains one of the most viable routes the national airline could exploit, but Air Zimbabwe stopped flights fearing attachment of its aircraft by Worldspan over its $2,8 million debt.

The creditor, Worldspan, is a provider of travel technology and content. Air Zimbabwe once had similar issues with aviation firms in South Africa, which it has cleared and has been able to resume flights into that country.

Minister Gumbo said the negotiations, which began around 2012, were progressing well and should be completed sooner than later.

The debt is only a fraction of the over $298 million legacy debts, which the national air carrier owes, including to workers.

Minister Gumbo said most airlines across the globe were not doing well like Air Zimbabwe, and were saddled with huge debts, which their governments took over to enable them to start on a clean slate.
He said negotiations were in progress with the government for a takeover of the State air carrier’s debt to enable it to lure investors.

This forms part of extensive options being undertaken to restore Air Zimbabwe as the pride of Zimbabwe’s aviation as was the case during the golden era when it used to carry the nation’s flag across the globe.

Those initiatives include the ongoing negotiations with a total of 12 airlines for either possible partnership or lease of aircraft.

Minister Gumbo said it is not clear yet which option will materialise, as no agreement has been reached with anyone yet.
“We are negotiating with many companies, about 12 airlines we are talking and they all want to do business with us,” he said.

“Negotiations are ongoing, either for partnership or lease of aircraft, but those are the options.”
According to tourism industry experts, a national tourism strategy that relies heavily on foreign airlines is likely to keep changing.

This is because of the fact that foreign airlines are driven by profitability, if the route becomes unprofitable, they quickly pull out, which is why Air Zimbabwe must work to resolve its legacy issues.
Since tourism and investment are clearly enunciated in the economic policy as key for growth, it is incumbent for the government to make deliberate policies in order to re-equip the airline.

TANZANIA: Fastjet Daily Flights To Harare And Lusaka From Zanzibar

The daily flights between Harare, Lusaka and Dar es Salaam will connect seamlessly on to the airline’s upcoming Zanzibar service which will be launched on the 11th of January 2016.

Schedule adjustments will permit passengers coming from Zimbabwe and Zambia to immediately transit on to the Zanzibar flight after their arrival in Dar es Salaam and with a dispatch reliability of over 90 percent of all flights leaving and arriving on time will travel to Zanzibar certainly be made much easier for travelers from South and Southern Africa.

Tourism stakeholders on Zanzibar have expressed broad support for the new connection as it will also allow visitors from the Tanzanian mainland to use the airline for the short flight to the main Zanzibari island of Unguja. Several hotelier spoken with over the past few days expressed their excitement to have another direct flight from Johannesburg to serve the South African market which has been growing fast since the launch of direct flights by other airlines but the addition of both Zimbabwe and Zambia has clearly widened the opportunities for the resorts on the Spice Island to sell holiday packages in Harare and Lusaka.

Additional information is also awaited on the additional routes Fastjet is expecting out of Harare as well as the operations start in Zambia, where local airlines are reportedly exploiting their monopoly with high fares, setting the scene for Fastjet to bring the cost of air travel down considerably and, as seen in other countries, attract an entirely new generation of passengers flying probably for the first time due to the affordable fare levels. For breaking and regular aviation news from across Eastern Africa look no further but this space.

TANZANIA: Fastjet gets Rights To Fly To Comoros But Kenya Still Refuses

Tanzania’s largest airline in terms of passengers uplifted, has secured traffic rights between Dar es Salaam and the Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport on the Comoros main island of Moroni.

Information sourced speaks of initially two flights per week between the Tanzania and the Comoros, which will increase as demand for seats and cargo goes up.

This makes it Fastjet’s sixth African destination out of Dar es Salaam after Johannesburg, Lusaka, Harare, Entebbe and Lilongwe, while their application for landing rights in Nairobi continues to gather dust in the deepest dungeons of Kenya’s Civil Aviation Authority.

‘Other countries want us to fly to their capitals’ said a source close to the airline before adding ‘Why the Kenyans do not want Fastjet to fly there remains a complete mystery. All prerequisite criteria have been met, all the boxes have long been ticked but it seems that the KCAA is now changing the size of these boxes and wants crosses instead of ticks? Are they for real?

They are setting the worst possible example for the opening of the African airspaces. Have they ever heard of Yamoussoukro or the fact that Kenya signed on to the AU protocol about liberalizing air transport?. Their protectionism will come back to haunt them when TCAA again enforces the present BASA’.

Fastjet in Zambia is also reportedly now very close to attaining their Air Operator Certificate which will allow them to launch flight operations out of Lusaka, presently served daily in conjunction with Harare.

The Zimbabwean launch at the end of October proved highly successful with already over 3.500 seats sold on the route between Harare and Victoria Falls. Discussions with the CAAZ are reportedly continuing about adding Bulawayo and Johannesburg as next destinations, after Fly Africa continues to postpone their relaunch following their grounding by the CAAZ when their local partners handed in the airline’s AOC at the end of October. Sources close to the airline in Harare have confirmed that once the additional routes have been secured that an additional Airbus A319 aircraft will be deployed to Zimbabwe more or less immediately to have enough aircraft on the ground to serve the additional destinations.

BOTSWANA: Botswana’s Capacity Grows By 3.3% In 12 Years; South Africa Is Top Country Market

Known for its fast-growing economy and for being home of Amantle Montsho (400-metre gold medallist at Daegu 2011 World Championships and at Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games), Botswana is also an African aviation hot-spot, being served by four international airports this February.

While it is home to an estimated population of 2.2 million inhabitants, Botswana covers an area of 581,730 square kilometres (around the size of Ukraine). In fact, Botswana is one of the most sparsely populated nations in the world, with around 10% of its population living in the capital city, Gaborone. Previously known as the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966. Being classified as one of the poorest countries in the world once, having a GDP per capita of around $70 per year in late 1960s, the country has since emerged into one of the fastest-growing economies. As of 2013, Botswana had a GDP per capita of around $16,400 per annum according to the Central Intelligence Agency.

The aviation sector played a significant role in this rapid economic growth, with Botswana being served by four commercial airports according to Innovata schedule data for February 2015, of which Gaborone (perhaps better known as Sir Seretse Khama International Airport) controls around 66% of the country’s scheduled seat capacity. With all four airports offering international services, Gaborone is the main gateway to the country as it offers a combined 86 weekly flights to Cape Town, Harare, Johannesburg, Lusaka and Nairobi.

Annual capacity down 3.1% in 2015
Examination of Innovata annual capacity for this February reveals that around 502,000 one-way seats may be offered on air services involving Botswana airports in 2015, which may account for a decline of 3.1% when compared to 2014 figures, assuming that there are no significant changes in carriers’ schedules. Nevertheless, this figure is likely to alter as airlines may introduce or cancel services over the following 11 months. Based on schedules currently filed, domestic traffic is expected to register a decrease rate of 8.1%, while the international sector may go down by only 1.5%.



Looking at annual seat figures between 2004 and those currently posted for 2015, the combined capacity of the four Botswana airports grew with an average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3%, with the international sector (+4.2%) outperforming the domestic market (+0.8%). Also interestingly, the international sector may increase by 64%, while the domestic one may go up 10% in 2015, when looking back 12 years to 2004. Not surprisingly considering the country’s political and economic instability in recent years, Botswana’s air traffic market saw an uneven development in the 2004-2015 timeframe.
Air Botswana bosses Botswana with 58% and 61% of seats and flights

As of February 2015, Botswana is served by five airlines, with the national carrier Air Botswana being the dominant player in this country market, as it controls 58% and 61% of all weekly seats and flights respectively. This week, Air Botswana operates a total of 16 airport pairs, of which eight of them are international routes. Johannesburg is the flag carrier’s most frequently served international destination, being served with 47 weekly flights from Gaborone, Maun, Kasane and Francistown.
South Africa is top country market

A total of six country markets can be reached non-stop from Botswana according to Innovata schedule data for this February. At around 7,149 weekly seats and 3.1% more than in the corresponding week last year, neighbouring South Africa tops the list of country markets served, with a combined 107 weekly flights operated by Air Botswana and South African Airways. In addition, the domestic sector accounts for 25% of all weekly capacity, being served by only Air Botswana with 40 weekly flights.


Zambia is a new entrant into this year’s ranking, owing to Air Botswana adding twice-weekly flights on the 1,065-kilometre sector from Gaborone to Lusaka over the past 12 months.

SOUTH AFRICA: South African Airways’ Three Main Airports Report Average Decline In Capacity

South African Airways launched its first North American destination from Accra to Washington Dulles. The service, which originates in Johannesburg, has contributed an additional 45% in terms of seat capacity from the Ghanaian capital this summer, making it the only airport in the Star Alliance member’s top 12 airports to report growth.

South Africa is a very unique country as it’s the only one in the world (excluding Antarctica) to have coastlines on both the Indian and Atlantic oceans. Lying at the tip of the African continent, the country’s largest city, Johannesburg is home to over four million people, representing approximately 9% of the population. With this fact, it is no surprise to see that the country’s national carrier, South African Airways (SAA), has a majority of its available seat capacity on domestic services, so it is able to connect Johannesburg with the remaining 91% of the population. One of the airports on the airline’s route network that will be getting a large influx of additional passengers next month is Durban, as it gets ready to stage the World Routes Conference, hosted by Province of KwaZulu-Natal at the Durban International Convention Centre between 19 – 22 September.

Johannesburg controls 44% of seat capacity

With Johannesburg being the largest city in South Africa, it is of no surprise to see that SAA has centred its operations at the hub, which occupies 44% of the Star Alliance member’s available seat capacity in S15, and has non-stop connections to 62 airports this summer, of which 19 are domestic. Of the five international airports that make it into the carrier’s top 12 airports (highlighted in light green), Accra has witnessed that largest growth in seat capacity, seeing an increase of 45%. Like Harare (-5.4%), Windhoek (-0.8%) and London Heathrow (-3.9%), the rest of the airports in the top 12, except Lusaka (+0.1%), are all showing declines in seat capacity when compared with S14, with Bloemfontein showing the largest decrease in seat capacity of -48%. South African Airways three largest airports, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, are reporting an average decline in seat capacity in S15 of 7% when compared with S14.

Ghana fastest growing; UAE newest market


As shown in the graph above, Ghana has seen the biggest seat capacity growth when compared to the same time period last year, helped by the launch of services from Accra to Washington Dulles. The most popular European market is Germany, which is reporting an increase in capacity of 1.3%. SAA serves both Frankfurt and Munich airports from Johannesburg, however London Heathrow is the most popular European route despite it witnessing a seat capacity decrease. Although not in the top 12, Mauritius (16th most popular) achieved a respectable growth rate of 13% when compared with S14, as did the Democratic Republic of Congo (+14%). The newest country market added to the airline’s portfolio is UAE. The Star Alliance member launched services to Abu Dhabi on 29 March, operating on a daily basis using the airline’s A330-200s.

New York JFK tops ASKs

As it was in 2014, New York again leads the top 12 routes for ASKs. The result means that the airline’s most popular route in terms of seat capacity (highlighted in light green) comes second in terms of the top 12 for ASKs. It is impressive though to see that the domestic link between Johannesburg and Cape Town has made it into the top 12 at second place, although this is helped with the sector seeing 125 weekly flights according to OAG Schedules Analyser data. New to the top 12 is the recently launched service between Accra and Washington Dulles that places in 10th spot, just ahead of the new service connecting Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi in 11th, illustrating the development being seen in the airline’s long-haul network.


South African Airways was greeted with a water arch salute upon arrival at Abu Dhabi Airport as the Star Alliance member launched its daily A330-200 service from Johannesburg.