update 10 July 2026
Air Zimbabwe confirmed that flights between RG Mugabe International Airpot (HRE) in Harare and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) in London are set to resume on 22 July 2026. The airline will operate three weekly flights on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays on board an Airbus A330-300 under an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) wet lease agreement with Spanish carrier Plus Ultra Lienas Aereas.
------------
Air Zimbabwe is set to resume direct flights between RG Mugabe International Airpot (HRE) in Harare and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) in London from 01 July 2026, marking the national carrier's return to the UK market after a 14-year absence.
The route was once a cornerstone of Air Zimbabwe's international network before long-haul operations were suspended in 2012. Since then, travellers between Zimbabwe and the United Kingdom have relied on one-stop services via hubs such as Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Doha, Dubai and Kigali.
The return of non-stop flights will be welcomed by Zimbabweans living in the UK, business travellers and tourists planning trips to destinations such as Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park.
For visitors, a direct connection removes the need for lengthy transit stops and makes Zimbabwe more accessible from one of its most important long-haul source markets.
The relaunch also comes at a time when Zimbabwe's tourism industry continues to recover, with growing interest in the country's wildlife, safari and adventure tourism offerings.
Questions remain about the long-term sustainability of the route, with Air Zimbabwe reportedly planning to operate the route through an Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance (ACMI) agreement with Spanish carrier Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas, which will provide the aircraft and operational support. As with any newly launched route, travellers should keep an eye on schedules and operational updates during the first months of operation.
Nevertheless, the return of direct flights between Harare and London represents one of the most significant developments in Zimbabwean aviation in recent years and could provide a welcome boost for both tourism and business travel.
For travellers heading to Zimbabwe in the second half of 2026, the prospect of a direct flight from London is certainly good news.
Subscribe for updates:
Subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates, border info, road alerts, and travel inspiration for Southern Africa.
