Air Zimbabwe eyes Harare-London flights as Mutapa Fund backs relaunch

Air Zimbabwe eyes Harare-London flights as Mutapa Fund backs relaunch

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Air Zimbabwe is set to resume direct flights between Harare and London Gatwick after a 14-year break, in a relaunch being facilitated by the Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF), according to information published in Harare.

The route is expected to return in the first half of 2026. Under the proposed arrangement, Spanish carrier Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas will provide an Airbus A330 through an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) deal, while Air Zimbabwe will market and sell tickets using its own flight code.

MIF chief executive John Mangudya said the move fits the fund’s wider plan to revive state-linked entities within its portfolio.

“The service would return in the first half of 2026 as part of a broader airline revival strategy, which includes the sale of certain aircraft to streamline operations,” Mangudya was quoted as saying.

Analysts cited in the report said the direct Harare-London link could strengthen ties with Zimbabweans in the United Kingdom, potentially supporting remittances as well as trade and investment flows between the two countries. The route is also expected to reopen a faster export channel for horticulture and other perishables, which historically reached UK shelves within a day of harvest.

Tourism industry players also welcomed the development, saying it could improve access for travellers from the UK and support destination marketing.

“This route is a game-changer for inbound tourism. Direct access from the UK will make Zimbabwe a more attractive package for tour operators and will drive arrivals into Victoria Falls, Hwange and our cultural sites,” a senior official with the Zimbabwe Council for Tourism said. “More visitors mean more bookings, more guides hired, and more revenue circulating in local communities.”

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The report also indicated the wider aviation value chain could benefit through increased activity linked to airport services and related industries.

Air Zimbabwe has previously operated long-haul routes, but the planned return to London would mark a significant step in restoring direct connectivity between Zimbabwe and one of its key diaspora and tourism markets.

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