Air Zimbabwe has officially relaunched its long-awaited Harare-London route, marking the airline’s return to the United Kingdom after a 14-year absence and signalling a major step in the national carrier’s international recovery.
The route was officially unveiled today at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport ahead of the inaugural Harare-London Gatwick flight, which is scheduled to depart on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. The relaunch restores a direct air connection between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom, a service that has been absent for more than a decade.
The launch ceremony was led by Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona and attended by Harare Metropolitan Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Charles Tawengwa, Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Barbara Rwodzi, UK Development Director and Deputy Head of Mission Dr. Jo Abbot, senior government officials, aviation stakeholders and invited guests.
The event featured a traditional water cannon salute to welcome the aircraft, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a guided tour of the Airbus A330-300 that will service the route. Guests were introduced to the flight crew and had an opportunity to experience the aircraft’s onboard facilities before its inaugural commercial journey.
Air Zimbabwe announced that the Harare-London Gatwick service will operate three times a week, with departures from Harare every Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Return flights from London Gatwick will operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The route will be operated using an Airbus A330-300 under an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) agreement with Spanish airline Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas. Under the arrangement, Plus Ultra will provide the aircraft, flight crew, maintenance and insurance, while Air Zimbabwe will oversee ticket sales, customer service and commercial operations.
The resumption of direct flights is expected to improve connectivity between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom, providing greater convenience for business travellers, tourists and the Zimbabwean diaspora. The route is also anticipated to boost tourism, trade and investment by strengthening economic ties between the two countries.
To commemorate the relaunch, Air Zimbabwe has introduced promotional fares, with one-way tickets starting from £490 or US$495, while return fares begin at £675 or US$900, subject to availability and applicable conditions.
The return of the Harare-London service represents one of the airline’s most significant milestones in recent years, underscoring its commitment to rebuilding its international network and restoring Zimbabwe’s direct links with key global destinations
