Air Zimbabwe Flies One Passenger From Harare To Joburg [WATCH]

Zimbabweans Reacts To Air Zimbabwe’s One-Man Flight To South Africa

Air Zimbabwe is once again under the spotlight after it reportedly flew a 50-seater  Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft from Harare to Johannesburg with just one passenger on board. The incident, which has gone viral on social media, has raised fresh questions about the viability of the national airline, which has long struggled with reliability, competitiveness and public trust.

The flight’s video was shared widely online, with many Zimbabweans expressing disbelief. The national carrier is reported to have continued operating the route despite low passenger numbers, even as regional rivals such as Fastjet, FlySAfair, Airlink and South African Airways (SAA) offer better pricing and more reliable services.

“At least they showed a great deal of reliability. I can imagine the passenger had a great experience onboard,” wrote user @phalluten on X.

Public reactions: ‘Just cancel the flight’

Social media users were quick to point out the financial absurdity of operating a nearly empty flight.

“Ko just cancel the flight n book the passenger on ànother airline,”
tweeted @stewart_le13503.

Another user, @anesumapys, questioned whether taxpayer money was being misused:

“That’s wasting state resources. Wasn’t it cheaper to buy that one person a ticket on Fastjet or any other flight that was available?”

Takunda Tsunga (@iamTSUNGA) broke down the fares currently on offer for the Harare–Johannesburg route:

“Return flight HRE – JHB
Fastjet – $256
FlySAFair – $244
Airlink – $247
Air Zimbabwe – $300
Before taking into account things like timetables, the potential of ana ‘shefu’ delaying your flight by 30 minutes etc.”

@Ga58194222 added:

“Until they are consistent!!
Until they are reasonable with their fares!!
Until they run on time every time!!
Until they restore our confidence in them!!”

Another user, @franknesh20, commented bluntly:

“They should just close it. SAA, FlySAFair and Fastjet vakabata route iyoyo kuti dzvii.”

A history of empty flights

This is not the first time Air Zimbabwe has flown near-empty flights on the same route. In February 2017, businessman and pastor Shingi Munyeza posted about flying from Harare to Johannesburg with only two other passengers on board.

“A rare privilege for me with 2 other passengers aboard #Airzim flight UM9461. #3Passengers HRE to JNB on Airbus A320, departure delayed by 1hr,”
he wrote on X.

The incident was widely reported at the time, drawing ridicule and criticism from the public.

Just three months later in May 2017, Zimbabwean journalist Audrey Chimwanda, then based in South Africa and formerly with ANN7’s Africa Tonight, flew the same route in reverse — from Johannesburg to Harare — and reported only four passengers on board. She later clarified that the return flight two days later was almost full.

“The return flight was almost full,”
she said.

Calls for reform grow louder

Zimbabweans are calling for reform, cheaper fares and consistent service to make the airline competitive again.

“There is no business in Harare — that is the truth. Harare has failed as a formal business city,”
tweeted @century_27.

“What’s the purpose of flying from Harare to Johannesburg for 275 to 300 dollars on a Zimbabwean airline? It’s better to have competing and affordable fares like how Fastjet does for its customers,”
added @blownBoy0.

Even amid mockery, some defended the airline’s persistence.

“What’s this got to do with crime watch? At least they showed a great deal of reliability,”
said @phalluten.

Still, many believe that without urgent reforms and customer-centric pricing, the airline will continue to struggle.

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The post Air Zimbabwe Flies One Passenger From Harare To Joburg [WATCH] appeared first on iHarare News.

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