Air Zimbabwe is set to resume direct flights between Harare and London Gatwick on July 1, ending a 14-year gap in service between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom.
The national airline will operate the route through a 13-month ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) lease agreement with Spanish carrier Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas, which will provide an Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft and operating crew for the service. The agreement was brokered by aviation specialist Chapman Freeborn Airchartering. SouthertonbusinesstimesRove SA
Air Zimbabwe last offered direct flights to London in 2012, using Boeing 767 aircraft. The service was suspended due to financial pressures and evolving European regulatory requirements. allAfrica.com
The revival is in line with the Mutapa Investment Fund’s (MIF) broad strategy to resuscitate the national airline. MIF Chief Executive Officer John Mangudya had previously indicated that the service would return in the first half of 2026 as part of a broader airline revival plan, which includes the sale of certain aircraft to streamline operations. NewZimbabwe.com
The ACMI structure allows Air Zimbabwe to restart long-haul operations while navigating some of the regulatory and operational challenges affecting parts of its existing fleet. Rove SA
The new partnership with Plus Ultra ensures compliance with UK and European operational standards. Flights will serve a mix of passengers, including the Zimbabwean diaspora, business travellers, students, tourists and government officials. allAfrica.com
Tourism operators anticipate that the direct connection will boost visitor arrivals from the UK by providing a more convenient travel option to Zimbabwe. The UK has historically been one of Zimbabwe’s most important long-haul source markets, with demand centred on wildlife, safari and heritage tourism.