African low-cost airline fastjet announced on Monday that it will, in August, start operating flights between Tanzania and Zimbabwe as it expands its international route network across Africa.

The airline would launch a twice-weekly operation from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to Harare, Zimbabwe, with tickets available from $50, excluding government charges and taxes. It claimed that its fares were “significantly cheaper” than fares from operators offering nondirect flights between the two cities.

The first flight was scheduled to take place on August 5, with services operating on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

The announcement marked the third international route for fastjet, which already offers flights between Tanzania and Zambia and between Tanzania and South Africa.

Despite strong commercial and cultural ties between the two cities, there was currently no direct air link between Dar es Salaam and Harare.

Commenting on the launch, fastjet interim executive chairperson and CEO Ed Winter said the flight offering moved the carrier closer to becoming the continent’s “first truly pan-African airline”.

“When we began operations 18 months ago, we promised the people of Africa that we would democratise air travel across the continent and we are well on our way to achieving that. We now look forward to offering fastjet’s service of affordable, high-quality air travel to the people of Zimbabwe,” he commented.

Zimbabwe Transport Minister Dr Obert Mpofu added that the government of Zimbabwe was “delighted” that fastjet was expanding its international route network to include Harare.

“Fastjet’s entry into Zimbabwe demonstrates the Ministry of Transport’s ongoing commitment to the improvement of our country’s aviation industry and to the development of trade relationships with our neighbours.

“We look forward to continuing our discussions with fastjet regarding the airline’s further expansion in Zimbabwe,” he commented.

Fastjet began operating flights in 2012 and has carried over 635 000 passengers through its domestic and international network.