Air Zimbabwe Resumes Direct Harare–London Flights After 14 Years

Air Zimbabwe has resumed direct flights between Harare and London Gatwick using a leased Airbus A330-300, ending a 14-year suspension of the route.

By Southerton Business Times Reporter | HARARE

Zimbabwe's national airline, Air Zimbabwe, has officially relaunched direct flights between Harare and London Gatwick, ending a 14-year absence from one of its most important international routes in a move expected to boost tourism, trade and business travel between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom.

The inaugural service, which departs on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, marks the airline's return to the UK market after suspending London operations in 2012 because of fleet shortages, financial challenges and changing European aviation regulations.

Speaking after Tuesday's Cabinet meeting, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Zhemu Soda said the restoration of the route reflects the success of President Emmerson Mnangagwa's engagement and re-engagement policy.

"The airline will resume operations by the end of July 2026 using a leased Airbus A330-300 aircraft from Plus Ultra in Spain, with a total capacity of 302 seats, comprising 30 business-class seats and 272 economy-class seats," said Dr Soda.

He said Air Zimbabwe will initially operate three weekly flights from Harare to London Gatwick on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with return services departing London on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The route will be operated under an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) agreement with Spanish carrier Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas, which will provide the Airbus A330-300 aircraft, flight crew, maintenance and insurance. Air Zimbabwe will manage ticket sales, customer service and commercial operations. The airline has launched the service with promotional one-way fares starting from US$495 (£490), while return tickets begin at US$900 (£675), subject to availability.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona is expected to lead the official launch ceremony at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, alongside Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi, Harare Metropolitan Affairs Minister Charles Tawengwa, UK Deputy Head of Mission Dr Jo Abbot, aviation officials and tourism stakeholders. The event includes a traditional water cannon salute, ribbon-cutting ceremony, aircraft tour and introduction of the flight crew before the inaugural departure.

The British Embassy in Harare welcomed the return of direct flights, posting on X:

"Welcome news. Air Zimbabwe's direct Harare-London flights make it even easier for people to visit, study and do business between our two countries."

Tourism operators have also welcomed the development. Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe president Clive Chinwada previously said improved air connectivity is essential for increasing international tourist arrivals and strengthening Zimbabwe's competitiveness as a destination, particularly from key source markets such as the UK.

According to the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), improved international air access remains one of the key drivers for growing visitor arrivals, conference tourism and foreign investment in the tourism sector. The resumption of direct services is also expected to benefit the large Zimbabwean diaspora in the United Kingdom, reducing travel times and eliminating the need for connecting flights through Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Doha or Dubai.

For Air Zimbabwe, the London relaunch represents another milestone in rebuilding its international network after years of restructuring, signalling renewed ambitions to reconnect Zimbabwe with major global markets.

Air Zimbabwe Harare London flights