News / National
South Africa to deploy drones to strengthen Beitbridge border?
3 hrs ago | Views
Air Zimbabwe retires Falcon 7X Presidential jet
Air Zimbabwe has officially retired its sole Falcon 7X, marking the end of its tenure as Zimbabwe's presidential jet. The aircraft, registered as Z-AZM (msn 299) during its service with the national carrier, is now under the management of Axis Aviation San Marino, a first for the operator.
Final Flight Under Zimbabwean Registration
The Dassault Aviation Falcon 7X made its last flight under Zimbabwean registration on July 11, 2024, traveling from Harare International to Johannesburg Lanseria. The jet remained parked at Lanseria for over two months before being re-registered in Aruba as P4-MTP. It resumed operations on September 24 with a flight to Cape Town International.
Subsequently, between October and November, the aircraft was registered under its current designation, T7-MTP, with Axis Aviation San Marino. Since November 21, the jet has completed two flights between Johannesburg Lanseria and Durban King Shaka, signaling its entry into Axis Aviation's growing fleet.
A Short Presidential Tenure
The 1.8-year-old Falcon 7X was initially registered in Aruba as P4-SIM and began operations on March 1, 2023, flying from Paris Le Bourget to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo. The aircraft was reportedly in use as Zimbabwe's presidential jet from its inception, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa utilizing it for state trips. Later that year, it was re-registered under Air Zimbabwe.
Following its retirement, Zimbabwe no longer maintains an official presidential aircraft. President Mnangagwa traveled to the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan on a chartered Royal Jet Boeing 737-700(BBJ), A6-RJU.
Air Zimbabwe's Current Fleet
Air Zimbabwe's active passenger fleet now consists of five aircraft:
1 Airbus A320-200
1 Boeing 737-200
1 Boeing 767-200ER
2 Embraer E145s
Axis Aviation's Fleet Expansion
The addition of the Falcon 7X to Axis Aviation San Marino marks the group's first aircraft of this type. The operator has also recently added a Global 5000 and a Falcon 2000LX to its fleet. Axis Aviation's entities in Switzerland, Austria, and South Africa do not currently manage any Falcon 7X jets, making this a significant acquisition for the San Marino-based branch.
The transition of the Falcon 7X highlights Zimbabwe's changing approach to presidential travel and reflects Air Zimbabwe's ongoing efforts to streamline its fleet. Meanwhile, Axis Aviation San Marino's acquisition underscores its growing presence in the global aviation industry.
Air Zimbabwe has officially retired its sole Falcon 7X, marking the end of its tenure as Zimbabwe's presidential jet. The aircraft, registered as Z-AZM (msn 299) during its service with the national carrier, is now under the management of Axis Aviation San Marino, a first for the operator.
Final Flight Under Zimbabwean Registration
The Dassault Aviation Falcon 7X made its last flight under Zimbabwean registration on July 11, 2024, traveling from Harare International to Johannesburg Lanseria. The jet remained parked at Lanseria for over two months before being re-registered in Aruba as P4-MTP. It resumed operations on September 24 with a flight to Cape Town International.
Subsequently, between October and November, the aircraft was registered under its current designation, T7-MTP, with Axis Aviation San Marino. Since November 21, the jet has completed two flights between Johannesburg Lanseria and Durban King Shaka, signaling its entry into Axis Aviation's growing fleet.
A Short Presidential Tenure
The 1.8-year-old Falcon 7X was initially registered in Aruba as P4-SIM and began operations on March 1, 2023, flying from Paris Le Bourget to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo. The aircraft was reportedly in use as Zimbabwe's presidential jet from its inception, with President Emmerson Mnangagwa utilizing it for state trips. Later that year, it was re-registered under Air Zimbabwe.
Following its retirement, Zimbabwe no longer maintains an official presidential aircraft. President Mnangagwa traveled to the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan on a chartered Royal Jet Boeing 737-700(BBJ), A6-RJU.
Air Zimbabwe's Current Fleet
Air Zimbabwe's active passenger fleet now consists of five aircraft:
1 Airbus A320-200
1 Boeing 737-200
1 Boeing 767-200ER
2 Embraer E145s
Axis Aviation's Fleet Expansion
The addition of the Falcon 7X to Axis Aviation San Marino marks the group's first aircraft of this type. The operator has also recently added a Global 5000 and a Falcon 2000LX to its fleet. Axis Aviation's entities in Switzerland, Austria, and South Africa do not currently manage any Falcon 7X jets, making this a significant acquisition for the San Marino-based branch.
The transition of the Falcon 7X highlights Zimbabwe's changing approach to presidential travel and reflects Air Zimbabwe's ongoing efforts to streamline its fleet. Meanwhile, Axis Aviation San Marino's acquisition underscores its growing presence in the global aviation industry.
Source - online
