Zimbabwe’s national carrier, Air Zimbabwe, is set to restore non-stop passenger flights between Harare and London Gatwick, marking its long-awaited return to the United Kingdom after a 14-year absence.
According to Aerospace Global News, the airline plans to relaunch the route later this month using a wet-leased Airbus A330-300 from Spanish carrier Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas under a 13-month agreement.
The revived service will initially operate twice weekly, with departures from Harare on Fridays and Sundays, before expanding to three weekly flights with the addition of a Wednesday service as demand grows. The Airbus A330-300 will accommodate 302 passengers, comprising 30 Business Class seats and 272 Economy Class seats.
The Harare–London route was once one of Air Zimbabwe’s flagship long-haul services before it was suspended in 2012 due to financial difficulties, fleet shortages and operational challenges that severely affected the airline. Since then, travellers between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom have relied primarily on connecting flights through Middle Eastern and African hubs.
READ: Africa: Air Zimbabwe Eyes London Comeback Through Wet-Lease Partnership with Spanish Airline
Zimbabwe’s government has described the relaunch as a major milestone in the country’s aviation recovery strategy. According to Aerospace Global News, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr. Zhemu Soda said the return of direct flights reflects the government’s commitment to repositioning Zimbabwe as a competitive destination for tourism, trade and investment.
The use of a Plus Ultra aircraft is central to the relaunch. Air Zimbabwe remains on the European Union Air Safety List, which prevents the airline from operating its own aircraft into European Union member states because of safety oversight concerns. By leasing an EU-certified aircraft, complete with crew, maintenance and insurance, the airline can operate the London service while complying with UK and European regulatory requirements.
The restored route is expected to benefit Zimbabwe’s large diaspora community in the United Kingdom while improving connectivity for business travellers, tourists and exporters. It also supports the country’s broader efforts to revive international tourism and strengthen economic ties with Europe. For Zimbabwe’s aviation sector, the resumption of direct London flights represents one of the most significant developments in more than a decade, signalling renewed ambitions to rebuild Air Zimbabwe’s long-haul network and reconnect the country with key international markets.
