Victoria falls
UNSPLASH

South African Airways (SAA), this week, relaunched flights from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe after a three-year hiatus.

South African Airways temporarily halted flights on the route in March 2020 to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 as well as to manage financial challenges.

The first SAA aircraft to arrive at the Victoria Falls International Airport landed Thursday, Dec. 15, to much fanfare and celebration from the local community, government officials, and stakeholders.

According to the Zimbabwean government, the return of SAA's aircraft services to Victoria Falls is a welcome boost to the tourism sector, which is still recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Zimbabwe is elated by the return of SAA and it is our hope that this connectivity will facilitate tourism, cultural and business exchanges, and economic opportunities," said Zimbabwe's Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Mike Madiro, AllAfrica reported.

The re-launch of flights couldn't come at a better time for Zimbabwe, which is doubling its efforts to attain a US$5 billion tourism industry by 2025.

SAA will now be the eighth flight to service the Victoria Falls route, alongside Eurowings, Airlink, Fastjet, Kenyan Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.

"SAA had been through an unprecedented time in its history with financial challenges culminating in the business rescue and difficulties associated with Covid19 leading to the ceasing of flight operations. SAA is back and is very pleased with the positive support it is receiving from passengers and all stakeholders who wish the airline well," Executive Chairperson and CEO, Prof. John Lamola said in a statement.

The tourism sector in South Africa took a massive hit during the pandemic, with the Stats SA Tourism 2020 report indicating a decrease of more than 70% in foreign arrivals.

In addition, the number of travelers to South Africa decreased by 50.7% from nearly 25 million in 2006 to 12 million in 2020.

Arrivals decreased by 70.6%, while departures decreased by 71.5% during the same period, as per the report.

A majority of the foreign travelers who visited South Africa during the reported period did so for leisurely purposes such as a vacation (89.3%). The other reasons for visiting included work (4.5%), business (3.2%), and studying (1%).