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Air Zimbabwe will resume direct scheduled flights between London Gatwick and Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport from 22 July 2026, marking the airline's return to the UK after more than 14 years.
The national carrier will initially operate three weekly services, with flights departing Harare on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while return services from London Gatwick's South Terminal will operate on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Promotional fares start from £490 one way or £675 return.
The route will be operated using a 302 (Business Class: 30 seats, Economy Class: 272) seat Airbus A330-300 under a 13 month ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) wet lease agreement with Spanish carrier Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas. Under the arrangement, Plus Ultra will provide the aircraft, flight crew, maintenance, and insurance, while Air Zimbabwe will manage ticket sales, passenger services, and the commercial operation of the route.
The leasing programme was arranged by UK based aviation services company Chapman Freeborn, which worked alongside Air Zimbabwe and Plus Ultra to restore the long-haul service.
Commenting on the relaunch, Linas Dovydenas, President of Chapman Freeborn IMEA, described the service as "an important milestone for Air Zimbabwe" and "a significant step in restoring direct connectivity between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom."
Air Zimbabwe last operated scheduled flights to London in December 2011, when its Boeing 767 service was suspended following financial difficulties. The airline said the return of the Harare-London route represents one of the most significant milestones in its history, reflecting its commitment to restoring international connectivity and strengthening Zimbabwe's links with key global markets.
For travellers, the nonstop service eliminates the need to connect through regional hubs such as Johannesburg, Addis Ababa, or Kigali, reducing travel time to just over 10 hours.
The restored route is expected to strengthen tourism, trade, investment, and diaspora connectivity between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom while supporting Zimbabwe's wider economic engagement.
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