Travellers heading to Zimbabwe will soon have another way to reach Harare. From 15 November 2026, South African regional airline Airlink will introduce a new scheduled service between Lanseria International Airport (HLA), northwest of Johannesburg, and Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (HRE) in Harare.
The route is particularly significant because it will be the first-ever scheduled airline service between Lanseria and Zimbabwe's capital, giving passengers an alternative to departing from the busier O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB).
Flight schedule
Airlink will operate the route three times a week using a 98-seat Embraer E190 aircraft, featuring 6 Business Class and 92 Economy Class seats
- Monday, Thursday, Saturday: Lanseria 07:00 > 08:40 Harare
- Wednesday, Friday, Sunday: Harare 17:45 > 19:25 Lanseria
The Embraer E190 offers a comfortable cabin layout with no middle seats, meaning every passenger enjoys either a window or aisle seat.
Why this new route matters
Johannesburg–Harare is one of Southern Africa's busiest international air routes, carrying substantial business, family and leisure travel throughout the year.
Until now, scheduled flights between the two cities have operated exclusively from O.R. Tambo International Airport. The addition of Lanseria gives travellers more flexibility when choosing departure airports and could prove particularly useful for those based closer to Johannesburg's western suburbs.
For visitors exploring Zimbabwe, Harare is often the starting point for journeys to destinations such as Mana Pools National Park, Eastern Highlands, Lake Kariba or the Great Zimbabwe ruins, while many travellers also continue onwards to Victoria Falls by domestic flight or road.
Bookings now open
Tickets for the new Lanseria–Harare service are already on sale, with the inaugural flight scheduled for 15 November 2026.
Whether you're starting a Zimbabwe self-drive adventure, heading to Victoria Falls via Harare, or combining South Africa and Zimbabwe in one itinerary, the new Lanseria service adds another convenient air connection for exploring Southern Africa.
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