Air Zimbabwe to purchase 6 new aircrafts

Air Zimbabwe has announced plans to acquire six new aircraft over the next three years at a cost of US$775,5 million, a move that forms the centrepiece of the national carrier's five-year strategic turnaround plan aimed at revitalising its domestic, regional, and international operations.

Backed by the Mutapa Investment Fund and the national Treasury, the procurement is intended to replace the airline's ageing fleet of Boeing 737s and 767s with modern, fuel-efficient aircraft. The airline expects the new planes to significantly reduce maintenance costs that have historically burdened its balance sheet.

The fleet expansion is structured in three phases. Two aircraft, valued at US$49 million each, will serve domestic routes, increasing flight frequencies and supporting the growth of the local network. Two regional jets, priced at US$101 million each, are intended to help Air Zimbabwe reclaim market share on routes dominated by regional competitors. The plan culminates with the acquisition of two long-haul, wide-body jets at a cost of US$225 million each, which will enable the airline to resume direct flights to key global destinations and reconnect Zimbabwe to international markets.

The initiative follows the airline's recent transition under the management of the Mutapa Investment Fund, which is tasked with providing professional oversight and ensuring the commercial viability of state-owned enterprises. The recapitalisation aligns with the Government's National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which prioritises improving destination connectivity and accessibility to boost tourism. Under NDS2, the government is committed to opening the skies to new airlines and enhancing connections between Zimbabwe's tourism hubs and major international source markets. In addition to the fleet expansion, the government plans to review visa regimes for tourists and enter into strategic agreements with new airline partners to align Zimbabwe with global aviation and tourism practices.

Air Zimbabwe has a long history dating back to 1946 when it operated as Central Africa Airways, a joint airline for Nyasaland, Southern Rhodesia, and Northern Rhodesia. Following the cessation of joint operations in 1967, the airline became Air Rhodesia before adopting the name Air Zimbabwe after the country attained independence in 1980. At its peak in 1980, Air Zimbabwe operated 18 aircraft and was a major regional and international player. However, the airline has struggled in recent decades, with passenger numbers declining sharply from one million in 1999 to fewer than 20,000 in 2016. The new fleet expansion represents a critical step in restoring the airline's competitiveness and supporting Zimbabwe's broader tourism and economic objectives.