Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
The Air Zimbabwe’s Airbus A330-300 aircraft which is plying the Harare–London route is now ready to leave Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare for Gatwick in the United Kingdom, marking the national carrier’s return to direct flights between the two cities after a 14-year hiatus.
The Foreign Operator Permit for the airline to operate was issued on July 1, 2026, a clear international vote of confidence in Air Zimbabwe’s operational standards, governance systems, and safety oversight.
Promotional fares for the direct flight will start from £490 or US$495, while a return ticket costs £675 or US$900.
So far, the route has already received an overwhelming market response, with 1 479 confirmed passenger bookings and more than 30 tonnes of cargo secured, demonstrating strong confidence in Air Zimbabwe’s revival.
The Airbus has 302 seats, with a configuration of 30 business class and 272 economy seats.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Advocate Felix Mhona and Tourism and Hospitality Industry Deputy Minister Tongai Mnangagwa are leading a delegation of senior Government officials who will be on the inaugural flight to the United Kingdom.
A welcome dinner will be held tomorrow(Thursday) at Cumberland Hotel.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe Colonel (Rtd) Christian Katsande, UK Development Director and Deputy Head of Mission Dr Jo Abbot, Air Zimbabwe board chairperson Dr Silvanos Gwarinda, Air Zimbabwe chief executive officer Mr Edmund Makona and officials from the embassy will attend the dinner.
On Friday, the delegation will visit the Air Zimbabwe House in London for a tour, before attending the UK Zimbabwe Music Festival (Zimfest) 2026 where Air Zimbabwe will also be showcasing on Saturday.
In a recent inteview, Dr Gwarinda said, “This marks a defining milestone for Air Zimbabwe and our nation. As Zimbabwe advances towards attaining Vision 2030, this occasion demonstrates our collective commitment to building a modern, connected and prosperous Zimbabwe. For many years, Zimbabweans have looked up to the sky and asked when this day would come.
That day has arrived. From this Wednesday, Air Zimbabwe will once again connect Harare directly with London Gatwick, restoring one of the most important gateways between our country and the world.
“This is the moment we have worked towards, and prayed for. It is the moment we now celebrate.”
He said Air Zimbabwe will maximise on the geographic centrality of Zimbabwe in relation to all the other SADC Countries, adding that a central location is one of the key requirements for a successful aviation hub.
Flights will depart Harare on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while return services from London Gatwick will operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The service is expected to strengthen tourism, trade, investment and diaspora connectivity while supporting Zimbabwe’s broader economic engagement with the United Kingdom.
The Harare-London Gatwick service will be operated using an Airbus A330-300 aircraft under an aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance (ACMI) wet lease from Spanish carrier Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas.
Under this arrangement, Plus Ultra provides the aircraft, flight crew, maintenance and insurance, while Air Zimbabwe manages ticket sales, passenger services and the overall commercial operation of the route.
A wet lease, often called an ACMI lease, is an agreement where one airline provides an aircraft to another along with the pilots, cabin crew, maintenance, and hull/liability insurance. The lessee retains commercial control of the flights but avoids all regulatory, operational, and maintenance burdens.
