Air Zimbabwe revives London route

by MARCUS MUSHONGA
HARARE – CHAPMAN Freeborn has supported Air Zimbabwe’s planned resumption of direct scheduled flights between Harare and London Gatwick, restoring the route after more than 14 years.

The global aircraft charter and leasing specialist has provided a tailored Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) solution to support the relaunch, which is expected by the end of July 2026.

The service will be operated by Spanish carrier Plus Ultra using an Airbus A330 aircraft under a long-term ACMI agreement, with initial operations comprising three weekly flights between Harare and London Gatwick.

Under the arrangement, Plus Ultra will provide the aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance, while the flights will operate under Air Zimbabwe’s flight code.

Chapman Freeborn said it had provided ACMI and contract management support to help establish the long-haul operating structure for the route, working closely with all parties involved.

The route is expected to strengthen commercial, tourism and cultural links between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom while improving travel options for the Zimbabwean diaspora, business travellers and tourists.

It is also anticipated to boost direct air freight capacity for time-sensitive exports, including horticultural and other perishable products destined for the United Kingdom market.

Linas Dovydenas, President for India, the Middle East and Africa (IMEA) at Chapman Freeborn, described the development as an important milestone for Air Zimbabwe.

“This is an important milestone for Air Zimbabwe and a significant step in restoring direct connectivity between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom,” Dovydenas said.

“We are proud to have played an important role in supporting this project, working closely with Air Zimbabwe and Plus Ultra to help deliver the right structure for the route.”

He said demand for flexible capacity solutions continued to grow across Africa as airlines rebuilt networks, responded to passenger demand and managed fleet requirements more efficiently.

Dovydenas added that ACMI arrangements played an important role in supporting growth, particularly on strategic routes where speed, flexibility and operational reliability were essential.

Daniel Huggins, Director of ACMI and Leasing at Chapman Freeborn, said long-haul ACMI programmes required close coordination among airlines, operators, aviation authorities and commercial partners.

He said the company had supported the project from a capacity and contract management perspective, helping to develop an operating structure for a strategically important route.

“This project demonstrates how collaborative capacity solutions can help airlines restore important routes and bring strategic services back to market,” Huggins said.

Chapman Freeborn provides aircraft leasing, ACMI and charter solutions to airlines worldwide and is part of Avia Solutions Group, a global aviation services provider.

– CAJ News