Air Zimbabwe is set to resume direct scheduled passenger flights between Harare and London later this month, marking the national carrier’s return to one of its most important international routes after an absence of more than two decades.
According to a statement issued by the airline on Wednesday, the Harare–London Gatwick service will commence on 22 July 2026, operating three times weekly.
Flights will depart Harare on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with return services from London Gatwick operating on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The airline will operate from Gatwick’s South Terminal.
The relaunch represents a significant milestone in Air Zimbabwe’s efforts to rebuild its international network following years of financial difficulties, fleet constraints and operational restructuring.
“The Harare–London route represents one of the most significant milestones in Air Zimbabwe’s history and reflects the national carrier’s commitment to restoring international connectivity and strengthening Zimbabwe’s links with key global markets,” the airline said.
Air Zimbabwe said the service is expected to support tourism, trade, investment and diaspora travel between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom while contributing to the country’s broader economic re-engagement strategy.
Rather than deploying its own aircraft, the airline will operate the route using an Airbus A330-300 under an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) wet-lease agreement with Spanish carrier Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas.
Under the arrangement, Plus Ultra will provide the aircraft, flight crew, maintenance and insurance, while Air Zimbabwe will manage ticket sales, passenger services and the commercial operation of the route.
The ACMI model allows the airline to re-enter the long-haul market without the substantial capital investment required to acquire and operate its own widebody aircraft, a strategy increasingly adopted by African carriers seeking to restore international services while managing operational risk.
Promotional fares will begin from US$495 one-way from Harare to London and £490 one-way from London to Harare, with return fares starting from US$900 and £675 respectively.
The London service was once one of Air Zimbabwe’s flagship international routes before being suspended amid the airline’s prolonged financial challenges and international sanctions that severely constrained its operations.
Its return signals another step in the carrier’s gradual recovery as Zimbabwe looks to strengthen international air links and reconnect with key overseas markets, particularly the sizeable Zimbabwean diaspora in the United Kingdom.
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