Zimbabwe flyafrica (Harare International) was forced to scrap its maiden Victoria Falls to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo flights scheduled for July 23 following the intervention of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ). Sources in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, report the CAAZ moved to revoke the airline’s South African pilots’ flight validations on July 22 resulting in the cancellation.

"We are unclear as to the reasons why our original issued validations were withdrawn at such late notice, however, we are working with the CAAZ to understand this issue and to meet any requirements they need," the airline said.

Passengers affected were subsequently rebooked onto a Comair (South Africa) (CAW, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) flight later that day.

The start-up claims only flights scheduled for Friday July 25, Sunday July 27, and Wednesday July 30 have been affected.

The airline is a partnership between locally-based and politically-connected Chakanyuka Karase's Nu.com and Flyafrica Ltd, a private equity aviation investment group run by South African investors and airline managers including Mike Bond of the now defunct South African LCC, 1time airline (Johannesburg O.R. Tambo).