Air Zimbabwe will resume direct flights between Harare and London by the end of July, restoring the flagship route for the first time in 14 years in a major boost for the country’s aviation, tourism and business sectors.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Zhemu Soda, during a post-Cabinet media briefing, yesterday, where he said the national airline had finalised plans to relaunch the service using a leased Airbus A330-300 aircraft from Spanish carrier Plus Ultra.
“The nation is advised that the airline will resume operations by end of July 2026 and will utilise a leased Airbus A330-300 aircraft from Plus Ultra in Spain with a combined 302 seats, having a configuration of 30 business class and 272 economy seats,” said Dr Soda.
He said the airline will initially operate three flights a week between Harare and London on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
“The airline will initially operate three weekly frequencies between Harare and London on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. This positive outcome demonstrates the utility of His Excellency, the President’s engagement and re-engagement policy and is testament to his continued commitment to positioning Zimbabwe as a competitive destination,” he said.
The relaunch marks the return of Air Zimbabwe’s direct service to the United Kingdom for the first time since 2012, when the route was suspended due to financial and operational challenges facing the national carrier.
The restored connection is expected to enhance travel convenience for business executives, tourists and the Zimbabwean diaspora in the United Kingdom, while strengthening trade, investment and tourism links between the two countries.
The development also represents another milestone in ongoing efforts to revitalise Air Zimbabwe and expand the country’s international aviation footprint as demand for regional and intercontinental air travel continues to grow.
