By Naledi Nyoni
HARARE — Air Zimbabwe is set to resume direct flights between Harare and London on Wednesday after the arrival of an Airbus A330 that will operate the long-awaited route under a wet lease agreement with Spanish carrier Plus Ultra.
The aircraft, configured to carry 302 passengers, landed at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Monday shortly before midday and was welcomed with a ceremonial water salute as government officials and invited guests looked on.
The national airline last operated direct flights to London in December 2011 before suspending the service amid mounting financial difficulties and fears that creditors could seize its aircraft.
Air Zimbabwe was later placed on the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s air safety blacklist in 2017, preventing it from operating its own aircraft into European Union and United Kingdom airspace.
To restore the route, the airline has entered into a long-term wet lease agreement with Madrid-based charter airline Plus Ultra, which will provide the aircraft, flight crew, maintenance and insurance.
Air Zimbabwe will remain responsible for ticket sales, passenger services and the commercial operation of the route.
Flights from Harare will operate every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, with return services departing London Gatwick on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The airline has introduced promotional fares starting at £490 (US$495) for a one-way ticket, while return fares begin at £675 (US$900), subject to availability and applicable conditions.
Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Felix Mhona described the resumption of the route as a major milestone for Zimbabwe’s aviation sector.
“We are so excited as a ministry, but above all as a nation, that after 14 years without direct flights to London, we are now reconnecting with one of our key international destinations.
“We have not had direct connectivity with Europe. This service changes that.
“We want passengers from across the region to connect through Zimbabwe and feed into this route,” Mhona said.
Air Zimbabwe said the relaunch of the London service marked “one of the most significant milestones” in the airline’s history, saying it demonstrated its commitment to restoring international connectivity and strengthening links with key global markets.
The aircraft features business and economy class cabins.
However, social media users were quick to note that the approximately 20-year-old aircraft does not have seatback entertainment screens in economy class.
Some travellers criticised the lack of in-flight entertainment on what is expected to be a 10-hour journey, while others said the convenience of a direct service outweighed the absence of onboard screens.
The London route is expected to become Air Zimbabwe’s first direct service to Europe since the suspension of its international operations more than a decade ago.
