By Desire Tshuma
Harare – Air Zimbabwe is preparing to take to the skies again on one of its most iconic routes, with direct flights between Harare and London expected to resume before the end of July.
The announcement was made by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Zhemu Soda during a post-Cabinet briefing this week. He said the national carrier will operate the route using a leased Airbus A330-300 sourced from Spanish airline Plus Ultra, configured to carry 302 passengers in a mix of 30 business class and 272 economy seats.
The route was last flown by Air Zimbabwe in 2012 before being suspended due to a combination of financial difficulties and operational setbacks that grounded much of the airline’s long-haul fleet. For the past 14 years, travellers between Zimbabwe and the UK have relied on connecting flights through Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Dubai or European hubs.
Under the initial schedule, Air Zimbabwe will operate three flights a week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Officials say the frequency could increase depending on demand and aircraft availability.
Minister Soda described the resumption as a direct result of the government’s engagement and re-engagement policy, adding that it reflects ongoing efforts to reposition Zimbabwe as a competitive tourism and business destination.
The return of the direct link is expected to have wide benefits. For the business community it cuts travel time and cost. For the tourism sector it offers a smoother entry point for UK visitors, who remain one of Zimbabwe’s key source markets. For the Zimbabwean diaspora in Britain, it restores a national carrier option for travel home during holidays and family events.
Aviation analysts note that leasing the A330-300 allows Air Zimbabwe to re-enter the long-haul market without the immediate capital burden of buying new wide-body aircraft. The deal with Plus Ultra also gives the airline access to an aircraft type already certified for the 11-hour Harare-London sector.
Air Zimbabwe has said full booking details, schedules and fares will be released in the coming days as preparations for the July launch are finalised.
If the relaunch holds, it will mark the most significant step yet in the airline’s effort to rebuild its international network and restore confidence in the national flag carrier.