Etihad Airways and fastjet Zimbabwe announce interline, codeshare and frequent flyer partnership

Travelling to Zimbabwe is set to become even easier after Etihad Airways and fastjet Zimbabwe signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a new interline partnership, codeshare agreement and frequent flyer partnership.

Once implemented, the partnership will allow travellers to book seamless journeys on a single ticket, with convenient onward connections from Harare to Victoria Falls, Bulawayo and Johannesburg aboard fastjet Zimbabwe. Ticket sales are expected to open on 24 August 2026.

The agreement also supports Etihad Airways' new direct service between Abu Dhabi and Harare, which is scheduled to launch on 24 March 2027. The new route will provide international travellers with easier access to some of Zimbabwe's most popular destinations, particularly Victoria Falls.

In addition to the planned interline partnership and codeshare agreement, the airlines also intend to introduce a frequent flyer partnership, enabling eligible passengers to earn and redeem Etihad Guest miles across both airlines in the future.

For travellers, the new MoU marks another positive step towards improved air connectivity between Zimbabwe and the rest of the world, making future trips to destinations such as Victoria Falls more convenient.

 

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Zambia: African Parks takes over the management of Kafue National Park!

The Government of Zambia and African Parks, a non-profit conservation organisation that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities, have signed a 20 million dollar agreement for the effective management and protection of Kafue National Park. The agreement follows the successful conclusion of a 16-month Priority Support Plan (PSP), initiated in February 2021 by Zambia's Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and African Parks, to provide technical and financial support for the National Park.
According to African Parks, a total of US$3.6 million was invested into Kafue National Park's infrastructure and operations since the PSP was implemented, including:

• the construction of a new law enforcement centre
• rehabilitation of existing infrastructure at Chunga and Ngoma
• grading of 2000 km of roads
• aerial support to law enforcement operations with both helicopter and fixed wing
• completion of an aerial census for the entire landscape
• the creation of 150 permanent jobs
• US$800 000 in law enforcement salaries, which were reimbursed to the Government of Zambia
  

The new agreement between the Government of Zambia and African Parks provides a full mandate to implement a holistic management plan for Kafue National Park, including a continuation of the work set out in the PSP. Priorities for 2022 include:

• further upgrades of roads to improve visitor access
• development of community facilities and projects
• an upgraded communications network
• operationalisation of the state-of-the-art law enforcement centre.

Kafue National Park, Zambia © Frank Weitzer and African Parks

Kafue National Park is the oldest and largest national park in Zambia, covering an area of about 22,400 km². It is located in in the centre of western Zambia, only a two hours drive from Livingstone. Kafue National Park is home to over 55 different species of mammals including elephants, large predators and 21 species of antelope – the highest diversity of antelope in Africa. Kafue National Park is also designated by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area, with at least 515 bird species recorded. The National Park is named for the Kafue River.
Kafue National Park forms part of the world's largest transfrontier conservation area, the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA). It is situated in the Kavango and Zambezi river basins where the borders of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe converge. It spans an area of approximately 520 000 km² and includes 36 proclaimed protected areas such as national parks, game reserves, forest reserves, community conservancies and game/wildlife management areas.

The Government of Zambia first partnered with African Parks in 2003 in Liuwa Plain National Park and subsequently in 2008 in Bangweulu Wetlands. Kafue National Park is the 20th park to join African Parks’ portfolio.

Zambia and African Parks to boost the protection of Kafue National Park!

The Government of Zambia and African Parks, a non-governmental organization (NGO) focused on conservation, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement a Priority Support Plan for the protection and development of Kafue National Park. The Priority Support Plan will increase technical and financial support for the National Park worth US$3 million over a period of 12 months. During the 12 month, African Parks will work with Zambia's Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) on key priority activities such as  improving critical infrastructure, supporting the DNPW's law enforcement efforts and conducting conservation baseline studies.

Kafue National Park © Frank Weitzer/African Parks

Kafue National Park  is the oldest and largest national park in Zambia, covering an area of about 22,400 km². It is located in in the centre of western Zambia, only a two hours drive from Livingstone. Kafue National Park is home to over 55 different species of mammals including elephants, large predators and 21 species of antelope – the highest diversity of antelope in Africa. Kafue National Park is also designated by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area, with at least 515 bird species recorded. The National Park is named for the Kafue River.
Kafue National Park forms part of the world's largest transfrontier conservation area, the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA). It is situated in the Kavango and Zambezi river basins where the borders of Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe converge. It spans an area of approximately 520 000 km² and includes 36 proclaimed protected areas such as national parks, game reserves, forest reserves, community conservancies and game/wildlife management areas.

South African Airways and Etihad Airways to codeshare

South Africa's national airline, South African Airways, and the flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) allowing the two airlines to introduce a comprehensive range of codeshare and interline air services as well as explore synergy and efficiency opportunities.
South African Airways will initially codeshare on Etihad Airways flights between Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi, as well as on flights to 12 cities on Etihad Airways’ worldwide network that includes destinations in the Middle East and South America.
Etihad Airways will in return place its code (EY) on South African Airways flights from Johannesburg to Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth (South Africa), as well as to Livingstone, Lusaka, Ndola (Zambia), Harare, and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe). Outside the African continent Etihad Airways will place its code on South African Airways flights to Sao Paulo.
Secondary phases of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will explore code sharing to more cities, closer synergies and efficiencies in the key commercial areas of procurement, ground handling as well as training.

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