Air Zimbabwe moved closer to restoring direct flights between Harare and London on Monday after the aircraft that will operate the route arrived ahead of the service’s launch on Wednesday.
The Airbus A330, which has a capacity of 302 passengers, has been wet-leased from Spanish airline Plus Ultra.
The aircraft, carrying Air Zimbabwe branding and Spanish flag colours on its wingtips, touched down at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport shortly before midday.
Its arrival was marked by a ceremonial water salute, while a traditional dance troupe performed for guests and officials.
Promotional fares for the resumed direct route will start at £490 or US$495, while return tickets will be available from £675 or US$900, subject to availability and applicable terms and conditions.
Under the wet lease agreement, Plus Ultra will provide the aircraft, flight crew, maintenance and insurance, while Air Zimbabwe will handle ticket sales, passenger services and the commercial management of the route.
Flights from Harare will operate on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while return flights from London Gatwick Airport will run on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona led a delegation to receive the Airbus A330-300 and officially mark the launch preparations at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport on Monday, 20 July.
The delegation included his deputy Joshua Sacco, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi, UK Development Director and Deputy Head of Mission Jo Abbot, who is acting Ambassador, Mutapa Investment Fund chief executive officer John Mangudya, legislators and senior government officials.
“We are so excited as a ministry, but above all as a nation, that after 14 years without direct flights to London, we are now reconnecting with one of our key international destinations,” said Mhona.
“We have not had direct connectivity with Europe. This service changes that. We want passengers from across the region to connect through Zimbabwe and feed into this route.”
Former opposition MP Fadzayi Mahere played down the development, saying there was no reason for celebration since the aircraft had been wet-leased.
“How do you expect kuti tipembere chinhu changa chiripo in better form in the 80s? It’s like relaunching ZUPCO buses with tickets, route timetables and bus stops then saying it’s a grand milestone. Zvanga zviripo izvi vaparadzi vasati vauraya zvese,” said Mahere.
“Let’s not be bamboozled by their immense capacity for low standards. Kubva matoita mabiko nekaone route ikako? Worse still, kuita ndege yekuroja? Having a functional national airline in 2026 should be as normal as breathing air. This ain’t it.”
Team Pachedu was even more critical, saying the A330-300 is one of the less favoured aircraft in its class because of concerns over fuel efficiency, cabin noise and outdated in-flight entertainment systems.
“As usual, the GoZ decided to embarrass itself by celebrating a wet lease on an old, inefficient aircraft. Air Zimbabwe is likely to bleed more money from this transaction; the A330-302 is the least popular in the Airbus family due to lack of fuel efficiency, loud cabins and outdated passenger in-flight entertainment,” the group posted on X.
“There is no WiFi on the plane (unless they add Starlink later), no passenger screen, no USB charging ports something that is even standard on buses.
“Why would a Zimbabwean in Europe ditch Qatar Airways, Emirates and soon-to-come Etihad Airways
for a Zupco? No one considered competition; no one considered fuel efficiency and the effect on margins.
“A wet lease on B787 would have been more ideal.”
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