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Air Zimbabwe to resume London flights by June
2 hrs ago |
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Air Zimbabwe is expected to resume flights to London by June 2026, ending a 14-year absence from the route, according to Mutapa Investment Fund chief executive John Mangudya.
Mangudya said the national carrier is undergoing a fleet restructuring programme that includes the disposal of two Boeing 777 aircraft acquired from Malaysia Airlines but never put into commercial service. Proceeds from the sale will be used to finance smaller aircraft for domestic operations.
"The government has given us authority to sell the Boeing 777s, and the proceeds will be used to pay a deposit for new, smaller aircraft for domestic flights," Mangudya said during a public lecture at the Harare Institute of Technology.
He added that efforts are underway to lease a wide-body aircraft to service long-haul routes, particularly the Harare–London route, which serves a large Zimbabwean diaspora community.
"We are also putting in place a facility to lease a bigger plane… to fly the Harare–London route, and good progress has been made," he said.
Mangudya indicated that preparations were at an advanced stage, saying he had been informed that the service could resume by mid-2026.
"I was advised… that by June this year, or before June, we will be flying to London. That route is one of the most lucrative in Africa," he said.
He added that restoring the route would also help revive Zimbabwe’s export capacity, particularly for horticultural products that previously reached UK markets within hours of departure.
Air Zimbabwe last operated flights to London in December 2011, after which the route was suspended amid financial and operational challenges that have plagued the airline for years.
The national carrier currently operates a limited fleet of Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft on domestic and regional routes, while older Boeing aircraft remain largely grounded or leased out.
The Mutapa Investment Fund now oversees several state-owned enterprises and has absorbed significant liabilities, including those of Air Zimbabwe, as part of broader efforts to restructure and stabilise parastatals.
Mangudya said the national carrier is undergoing a fleet restructuring programme that includes the disposal of two Boeing 777 aircraft acquired from Malaysia Airlines but never put into commercial service. Proceeds from the sale will be used to finance smaller aircraft for domestic operations.
"The government has given us authority to sell the Boeing 777s, and the proceeds will be used to pay a deposit for new, smaller aircraft for domestic flights," Mangudya said during a public lecture at the Harare Institute of Technology.
He added that efforts are underway to lease a wide-body aircraft to service long-haul routes, particularly the Harare–London route, which serves a large Zimbabwean diaspora community.
"We are also putting in place a facility to lease a bigger plane… to fly the Harare–London route, and good progress has been made," he said.
"I was advised… that by June this year, or before June, we will be flying to London. That route is one of the most lucrative in Africa," he said.
He added that restoring the route would also help revive Zimbabwe’s export capacity, particularly for horticultural products that previously reached UK markets within hours of departure.
Air Zimbabwe last operated flights to London in December 2011, after which the route was suspended amid financial and operational challenges that have plagued the airline for years.
The national carrier currently operates a limited fleet of Embraer ERJ-145 aircraft on domestic and regional routes, while older Boeing aircraft remain largely grounded or leased out.
The Mutapa Investment Fund now oversees several state-owned enterprises and has absorbed significant liabilities, including those of Air Zimbabwe, as part of broader efforts to restructure and stabilise parastatals.
Source - zimlive
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