Zimbabwe: Over 1,400 Passengers Already Booked Seats On Air Zimbabwe's New Harare-London Direct Flight - Govt Says

What the report says

AllAfrica, carrying a New Zimbabwe report dated July 21, 2026, said Zimbabwe’s transport minister, Felix Mhona, announced that 1,479 passengers had confirmed bookings for Air Zimbabwe’s restored direct service between Harare and London. Mhona spoke at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport after the arrival of a 302-seat Airbus A330-300 that will be used on the route.

According to the report, the first flight is scheduled for July 22, with the aircraft expected to arrive at London Gatwick on July 23. The service marks Air Zimbabwe’s return to the London route after 15 years. The article said the flight will operate three times weekly from Harare on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with return departures from London on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The aircraft is configured with 30 business-class seats and 272 economy seats.

New Zimbabwe reported that the plane was obtained through a 13-month wet lease and will be operated by Spanish carrier Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas, which will provide the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance. The report also cited cargo demand for the new route, though it gave two different figures: 30 tonnes in one passage and more than 40 tonnes in remarks attributed to Mhona.

The route is significant for Zimbabwe’s state-owned airline, which has faced years of recovery efforts. The report said renewed investment through the Mutapa Investment Fund, led by John Mangudya, has supported the airline’s revival plans. Mhona framed the service as important for Zimbabweans in the UK and Europe, as well as for trade, investment, official travel and tourism links.