Air Zimbabwe to Resume Harare-London Flights in 2026 via Spanish Wet-Lease Deal

Air Zimbabwe will resume direct flights between Harare and London on July 1, 2026, ending a 14-year absence from the United Kingdom market. The service forms part of the Mutapa Investment Fund's strategy to revive the national airline. MIF Chief Executive Officer John Mangudya had indicated earlier that the route would return in the first half of 2026, alongside plans that include the sale of certain aircraft to streamline operations.

The flights will operate under an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance arrangement with Spanish carrier Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas. This arrangement allows Air Zimbabwe to restart long-haul operations without awaiting fleet modernisation or new aircraft acquisition.

ACMI partnerships are commonly employed by airlines seeking to expand capacity or operate routes for which they lack suitable aircraft. Air Zimbabwe last offered direct flights to London in 2012 using Boeing 767 aircraft. The service was suspended due to financial pressures and evolving European regulatory requirements.

The new partnership with Plus Ultra ensures compliance with UK and European operational standards. Flights will operate to London Gatwick Airport. The route is expected to strengthen connections with Zimbabwe's sizeable diaspora and key business markets in the UK.

It will serve a mix of passengers, including the Zimbabwean diaspora, business travellers, students, tourists, and government officials. Tourism operators anticipate that the direct connection will boost visitor arrivals from the UK by providing a convenient travel option to Zimbabwe.