Air Zimbabwe (UM, Harare International) aims to resume long-haul service to London Gatwick by June 2026 following a 14-year hiatus, even though it remains banned from operating commercial flights to the United Kingdom and the European Union through not meeting international safety standards.

Speaking at a public lecture in Harare, John Panonetsa Mangudya, CEO of the Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF), the Zimbabwean sovereign wealth fund that owns Air Zimbabwe, said the airline was working to lease a Boeing widebody for long-haul routes, particularly to the UK, which hosts a large Zimbabwean diaspora, the ZimLive news site reported.

"We are putting in place a facility to lease a bigger plane, one of these Boeings, to fly the Harare International-London route, and good progress has been made," Mangudya said, claiming that flights could resume by mid-year.

"That route is one of the most lucrative in Africa because it is a direct service to the UK," he said, noting it would also revive direct exports. "In the past, we used to export our horticulture, and by morning it would be on shelves in the UK."

Mangudya did not mention the fact that Air Zimbabwe remains on the lists of airlines banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the UK and the EU, including overflights. The carrier last serviced Gatwick in 2012, using its sole B767-200ER, until it suspended the service amid financial troubles and aircraft impoundment.

Mangudya said the national carrier was implementing a fleet restructuring plan that includes disposing of two B777s acquired from Malaysia Airlines but never placed into service.

"The government has given us authority to sell the Boeing 777s, and the proceeds will be used to pay a deposit for new, smaller aircraft for domestic flights," he said.

ch-aviation has contacted the airline for comment.

As reported, Air Zimbabwe plans to acquire six new aircraft over the next three years for USD775.5 million as part of a five-year strategic turnaround strategy aimed at restoring its domestic, regional, and international operations.

Backed by the MIF and the National Treasury, the procurement will replace the airline’s ageing single B737-200 and sole B767-200ER with newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft to reduce high maintenance costs.

The plan involves a three-tier expansion: two domestic aircraft valued at USD49 million each, two regional jets priced at USD101 million each, and two long-haul widebodies costing USD225 million each to resume direct international services.

The flag carrier continues to wet-lease one ATR42-500 from Kenya's Renegade Air for domestic and regional flights. None of its in-house aircraft is currently in service, including two E145s, the B737-200 and B767-200ER.