Air Zimbabwe aims to resume Harare–Gatwick flights by June despite UK, EU ban

AIR ZIMBABWE

By Staff Reporter — Harare, Zimbabwe

Air Zimbabwe says it aims to resume direct long‑haul services between Harare International and London Gatwick by June 2026, marking an attempt to restore a route the national carrier last operated in 2012. The announcement came as the airline’s owner, the Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF), outlined a fleet restructuring plan intended to revive domestic, regional, and international operations.

Speaking at a public lecture in Harare, John Panonetsa Mangudya, CEO of the MIF, said the airline is negotiating to lease a Boeing widebody for long‑haul routes and that “good progress has been made.” He described the Harare–UK link as “one of the most lucrative in Africa” and argued a direct service would also revive time‑sensitive exports such as horticulture. “In the past, we used to export our horticulture, and by morning it would be on shelves in the UK,” Mangudya said.

The plan comes amid a major caveat: Air Zimbabwe remains banned from operating commercial flights to, from, and within the United Kingdom and the European Union because it does not meet international safety standards. The carrier’s last Gatwick service used a single B767‑200ER before financial troubles and aircraft impoundments forced suspension of the route.

Mangudya said the government has authorised the sale of two Boeing 777s acquired from Malaysia Airlines but never placed into service. Proceeds from those disposals, he said, will be used to pay deposits for newer, smaller aircraft intended for domestic operations. “The government has given us authority to sell the Boeing 777s, and the proceeds will be used to pay a deposit for new, smaller aircraft for domestic flights,” he told the audience.

Under a five‑year strategic turnaround, Air Zimbabwe plans to acquire six new aircraft over three years at an estimated cost of USD 775.5 million. The proposed three‑tier procurement would include two domestic aircraft (USD 49 million each), two regional jets (USD 101 million each), and two long‑haul widebodies (USD 225 million each) to restore international services. The carrier currently wet‑leases an ATR42‑500 from Kenya’s Renegade Air for domestic and regional operations; none of Air Zimbabwe’s in‑house fleet, including two E145s, a B737‑200, and the B767‑200ER, is presently in service.

Industry observers say the ambition to return to Gatwick will hinge on meeting stringent safety and regulatory requirements imposed by the UK and EU aviation authorities. Restoring international services will require not only newer aircraft but demonstrable improvements in maintenance, safety oversight, and regulatory compliance.

Air Zimbabwe and the MIF say the National Treasury backs the fleet overhaul. Ch-aviation and other industry outlets have been contacted for comment as stakeholders weigh the feasibility of the carrier’s timetable and the broader implications for Zimbabwe’s connectivity and export logistics.