Etihad Airways and fastjet Zimbabwe have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish an interline partnership, codeshare agreement, and frequent flyer arrangement, the carriers announced following a signing ceremony in Harare on July 7, 2026.
The agreement allows passengers travelling on Etihad to connect onward with fastjet Zimbabwe to Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, and Johannesburg under a single ticket. Travel under the partnership opens for sale on August 24, 2026.
For fastjet Zimbabwe, the deal works in the other direction too: its passengers will gain access to Abu Dhabi and Etihad’s broader network spanning the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. The Zimbabwean carrier will become the 32nd airline partner of the Etihad Guest frequent flyer programme, with reciprocal benefits expected to follow.
The deal is timed to complement Etihad’s planned direct service between Abu Dhabi and Harare, which launches on 24 March 2027. That route will give Etihad a physical footprint in Zimbabwe; the interline arrangement is designed to push its effective reach beyond Harare from day one.
“Africa is an important part of Etihad’s growth, and partnerships like this one with Fastjet Zimbabwe are how we extend our reach and open up more of the continent for our guests. From Harare to Victoria Falls, travellers can now plan their journey across Zimbabwe on a single ticket, and we look forward to building on this cooperation,” Arik De, Etihad Airways Chief Revenue & Commercial Officer said in a statement.
“This marks the beginning of what we believe will be a significant partnership. We are delighted to be working alongside Etihad Airways, one of the world’s leading airlines, exploring opportunities to improve connectivity, broaden travel options for our customers and further strengthen Zimbabwe’s links with key international markets,” Donahue Cortes, Fastjet Zimbabwe Business CEO & Country Head added.
“This partnership opens up the world for our customers in Zimbabwe. From Harare, travellers can now connect onto Etihad’s global network and reach Abu Dhabi and destinations across the Middle East, Asia, Europe and beyond, all on a single ticket. We are proud to give the people of Zimbabwe easier access to so many more places,” Vivian Ruwuya, Fastjet Chief Commercial Officer, Fastjet Chief Commercial Officer further explained.
Etihad also flagged its Abu Dhabi Stopover programme, which offers eligible passengers up to two complimentary hotel nights in the UAE capital, as an added incentive for Zimbabwe-originating travellers transiting through Abu Dhabi.
