fastjet has announced it will commence flights to Victoria Falls from Johannesburg on March 25th, 2016, in response to strong passenger and tour operator demand from within the South African market.

Services between Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport and Victoria Falls International Airport will operate using fastjet’s modern Airbus A319 jet aircraft with seating for up to 156 passengers.

Initially operating twice a week on Fridays and Sundays, fastjet’s flights will depart Victoria Falls at 12:40 and land in Johannesburg at 14:15, with a flight time of one hour 35 minutes.

The return flight from Johannesburg departs at 14:55 and lands in Victoria Falls at 16:35.

“fastjet believes that affordable air travel is key to the continued growth of tourism between Zimbabwe and South Africa, with Victoria Falls being long established as a tourism drawcard to the region,” said Richard Bodin, fastjet chief commercial officer.

“Launching this route between Victoria Falls and Johannesburg makes it more affordable for South Africans to visit the area’s many sights and attractions.”

Bodin added: “Prior to announcing these flights to Victoria Falls, fastjet had detailed discussions with South African and Zimbabwean tour operators in order to deliver suitable flight components to include in packaged tour offerings.

“We will rely on continued support from the travel agents and tour operators due to the destinations’ strong tourism attractions.”

The new route between Victoria Falls and Johannesburg follows closely on the success of fastjet’s route launches between Harare and Victoria Falls, and its first international route from Harare to Johannesburg.

fastjet increased the frequency of its flights from Harare to Johannesburg just two weeks after the first flight took to the skies, and now connects the two cities 12 times each week.