KLM flights to Lusaka and Harare from October

The first flight to Zimbabwe will be on October 29, and undertaken in combination with a new KLM destination to Zambia's capital, Lusaka.

KLM, which is part of the larger Air France-KLM group, said in a statement that Zimbabwe is "a strong growth market with a wide array of natural resources."

Its announcement came a day after the European Union said it was ready to lift sanctions if the country holds a credible vote on a constitutional referendum.

Most international airlines, including Air France, Lufthansa and Quantas pulled out of Zimbabwe over the past decade citing dwindling passenger numbers as tourists were scared-off by political violence.

The airline said it will offer 11 weekly services to Harare via Nairobi, in co-operation with Kenya Airways, in which KLM has a 26 percent stake. Flag carrier Air Zimbabwe has in recent months downsized because of frequent strikes and huge debts as the company tries to maintain an ageing fleet.

Foreign airlines are stepping in to fill the space. Emirates began flying between Zimbabwe and Dubai via Lusaka in February. Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and South African Airways are some of the regional airlines that maintained services into Zimbabwe despite the political turmoil.

Source: AFP via I-Net Bridge.