Air Zimbabwe Targets London Return by Q2 2026 Despite UK Ban
Air Zimbabwe is targeting a return to long-haul operations with a proposed resumption of flights to London Gatwick by June 2026, marking a potential comeback to the route after a 14-year absence. The plan comes despite the airline remaining banned from operating commercial flights to the United Kingdom and the European Union due to unresolved safety and regulatory compliance issues.
Speaking at a public lecture in Harare, John Panonetsa Mangudya, chief executive of the Mutapa Investment Fund, said the airline is working to lease a Boeing widebody aircraft to support long-haul services, with London identified as a priority destination. The UK hosts a significant Zimbabwean diaspora, which Mangudya described as a key source of demand for a direct air link.
According to Mangudya, progress has been made toward securing an aircraft lease, raising expectations that flights could resume by mid-2026. He described the Harare–London route as one of the most commercially attractive in Africa, citing strong passenger demand and the potential to revive direct air cargo exports. In previous years, Air Zimbabwe transported horticultural products directly to the UK market, significantly reducing transit times and improving export competitiveness.
However, Mangudya did not address the regulatory hurdles facing the carrier. Air Zimbabwe remains on the lists of airlines prohibited from operating to, from, and within the UK and EU, including overflight restrictions. The airline last served London Gatwick Airport in 2012, when it operated a single Boeing 767-200ER. That service ended amid mounting financial difficulties and the eventual impoundment of aircraft.
As part of a broader restructuring effort, Mangudya confirmed that the government has authorised the sale of two Boeing 777s previously acquired from Malaysia Airlines but never placed into service. Proceeds from the sale are expected to fund deposits for smaller aircraft intended for domestic operations, supporting a gradual rebuild of the airline’s network.
Air Zimbabwe has outlined plans to acquire six new aircraft over the next three years at a total cost of approximately $775.5 million under a five-year turnaround strategy backed by the Mutapa Investment Fund and Zimbabwe’s National Treasury. The plan envisages a three-tier fleet renewal covering domestic, regional, and long-haul operations, replacing ageing aircraft with more fuel-efficient types to curb maintenance costs.
In the interim, the airline continues to rely on a wet-leased ATR 42-500 from Renegade Air for limited domestic and regional services. None of Air Zimbabwe’s owned aircraft is currently operational, underscoring the scale of the challenges it must overcome before any return to long-haul international flying can become a reality.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com