WATCH: Zimbabwe Airways add its maiden aircraft, a B777

Zimbabwe Airways, a Zimbabwean government-owned entity aimed at reestablishing the Southern African state's longhaul operations, is set to add its maiden aircraft, a B777.

Zimbabwe Airways has secured ex-Malaysia Airlines B777-200(ER) 9M-MRP (msn 28421) with it having conducted air tests at Kuala Lumpur Int'l on June 24. Earlier this year, Zimbabwean media reports indicated Zimbabwe Airways would acquire four B777s for use in resuming longhaul flights to Europe and the Far East.

Despite repeat announcements proclaiming its imminent resumption of flights to London Gatwick and Guangzhou, de-facto national carrier Air Zimbabwe has yet to do so ostensibly because of the threat of asset seizures over unpaid debts. Creditors are known to include Algerian air navigation service provider ENNA, Pan African air navigation provider ASECNA, China's National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation, Aero Industrial Sales, and American General Supplies.