Inaugural Air Zimbabwe Flight Lands in Masvingo as Tourism Minister Hails Infrastructure and Accessibility Boost

​MASVINGO, — Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi has described the arrival of the inaugural Air Zimbabwe commercial flight at Masvingo Airport as a major milestone for provincial accessibility, regional tourism, and economic growth.

​The flight landed on Saturday morning carrying 39 local delegates and international travel buyers arriving for the 19th edition of the Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe World Tourism Expo. Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira, alongside senior aviation and tourism executives, attended the reception on the airport tarmac.

​Speaking directly from the apron following the aircraft’s arrival, Minister Rwodzi emphasized that establishing direct air links with Masvingo transforms how international and domestic tourists access the region’s top heritage and wildlife attractions.

​”We are very excited to receive our first group of international buyers who are arriving in the city with this inaugural flight,” Minister Rwodzi said. “This speaks volumes to the improvement of accessibility for tourists, whether domestic or international. Visitors arriving at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare can now connect directly to Masvingo for Great Zimbabwe, Chilo Gorge, Malilangwe, Gonarezhou, Tugwi Mukosi, and Lake Mutirikwi.”

​The Minister highlighted that international buyers aboard the flight represented key global tourism markets, including Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Japan.

​Minister Rwodzi noted that hosting the Sanganai Expo outside traditional hubs demonstrates the government’s commitment to devolution, infrastructure development, and expanding provincial gross domestic product (GDP).

​”The reason for devolving Sanganai to different provinces is fundamentally to drive tourism infrastructure, accessibility, and accommodation,” Rwodzi stated. “Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism can only grow when people can easily access these locations.”

​Addressing the airport’s facilities, the Minister confirmed that initial refurbishment works were completed to accommodate the expo’s influx, with larger, permanent infrastructure upgrades slated for construction under the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development.

​She expressed gratitude to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, and local provincial leadership for prioritizing aviation and access infrastructure in Masvingo.

​The temporary schedule introduces direct air routes connecting Harare, Masvingo, and Chiredzi, providing vital travel options for delegates attending the Sanganai/Hlanganani Dzimbahwe Expo.