The Zimbabwean Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has implemented new regulations requiring fees for flights traversing the nation’s airspace, regardless of whether they touch down or not.
Effective June 1, the directive, outlined in Statutory Instrument 98 of 2024, mandates aircraft operators to remit en-route navigation fees to the director-general for passage within the Flight Information Region (FIR).
Under the newly enacted regulations, any entity operating an aircraft within the FIR is now liable for payment, with the director-general empowered to determine the fees corresponding to each aircraft or flight. Foreign-registered aircraft are obligated to settle fees in US dollars, while Zimbabwe-registered aircraft have the flexibility to pay either in US dollars or the equivalent local currency. Furthermore, aircraft intending to traverse the FIR without landing are mandated to prepay en-route fees.
The scope of the regulations extends beyond commercial operations, encompassing recreational and training flights as well. Activities such as gliding, parachuting, ballooning, and instructional endeavors like instrument training and general flying are now subject to fees.
For each such flight conducted by a Zimbabwean registered aircraft, a fee of US$31 is prescribed, with foreign registered aircraft facing a similar charge. Notably, exemptions are granted for flights designated for rescue missions and disaster management purposes.
The implementation of this new fee structure is poised to have ramifications for both domestic and international airlines operating within Zimbabwe’s airspace. The financial implications may influence flight planning and operational costs, prompting stakeholders to adapt to the regulatory changes.
Additionally, the requirement to remit fees in US dollars may present logistical challenges for some operators amid currency fluctuations.
As Zimbabwe endeavors to regulate and monetize its airspace, stakeholders within the aviation industry are tasked with navigating these changes.
