Story by John Nhandara
AIR Zimbabwe has resumed direct flights between Harare and London, restoring the route after a 14-year hiatus and re-establishing a direct air link between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom.
The arrival of Air Zimbabwe’s Airbus A330 at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport from Spain on Monday marked the return of the Harare-London service, which is expected to improve international connectivity and strengthen links with key global markets.
Travellers welcomed the development, saying it would reduce travel time and improve convenience.
“We used to connect London via Addis Ababa so we are excited by this development,” a traveller said.
“It will reduce travel time since this is a direct flight,” another traveller said.
“What is exciting is that this airline belongs to us as Zimbabwe,’’ another traveller added.
The resumption of the Harare-London route, once the airline’s flagship connection, is expected to enhance tourism, trade, and investment, while providing a direct link for travellers, including Zimbabweans in the diaspora who used to rely on connecting flights through Europe, the Middle East and other regional hubs.
“This is a great milestone as it boosts tourism,” Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon Barbra Rwodzi said.
”It will help in terms of boosting trade and connectivity,” CEO of Mutapa Investment Fund Dr John Mangudya weighed in.
”We celebrate the return of the great route; it was a much-loved direct route when it worked, so we are excited that it is back,” Acting British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Dr Jo Abbot said.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Honourable Felix Mhona has indicated that the service will maintain a schedule of three flights per week, connecting Harare and London’s Gatwick South Terminal.
“This is the Second Republic in action, and we are happy that we have resumed our flights, which have a schedule of departing Harare on Mondays, Wednesdays and Sundays,” he said.
According to Air Zimbabwe Chief Executive Officer, Mr Edmund Makona, the service will provide passengers with a convenient, seamless and reliable travel experience between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom.
“This is an Airbus A330-300 aircraft with a carrying capacity of 302 passengers: 30 business class and 272 economy. We are looking at a transformative journey where our diaspora community and our cargo can be taken care of,” he said.
The resumption of Harare-London Gatwick service marks Air Zimbabwe’s return to the United Kingdom since 2012, when the national flag carrier last operated direct flights to London using the Boeing 767 aircraft.
