Air Zimbabwe returns to London after 14-year absence

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.

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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.

 

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Virgin Atlantic expands South Africa flights for Winter 2026/27

Travellers heading to South Africa during the 2026/27 northern winter season will have even more options, as Virgin Atlantic has announced a major increase in capacity on its popular London–South Africa routes.

From October 2026 to March 2027, the British carrier will operate up to 10 weekly flights between Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, while also increasing frequencies to 11 weekly services into Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town.

As part of the expanded schedule, Virgin Atlantic’s existing daily Johannesburg service will be upgraded to the airline’s larger and more modern Airbus A350-1000 throughout the winter season, adding additional seats and enhanced onboard comfort for long-haul travellers.

The revised timetable is designed to improve convenience for both leisure and business passengers. Earlier morning arrivals into South Africa will allow visitors to make better use of their first travel day, while later evening departures from Johannesburg offer a smoother overnight connection back to London.

The increase in flights comes amid strong and sustained demand for travel between the United Kingdom and South Africa, particularly for safari holidays, Cape Town summer escapes, visiting friends and relatives, and corporate travel.

For South African tourism, the expanded schedule provides another welcome boost ahead of the peak summer season, improving international connectivity and offering travellers greater flexibility when planning trips to destinations such as the Kruger National Park, the Garden Route and the Cape Winelands.

 

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British Airways expands Cape Town route: What travellers need to know

British Airways has confirmed a major boost to its South Africa schedule, with additional flights between London and Cape Town set to launch as part of its expanded winter 2026 long-haul programme.

For travellers planning a trip to South Africa, this is a significant development - and potentially very good news for availability, pricing, and flexibility.

Third daily London–Cape Town flight confirmed

A key development is the introduction of a third daily flight between Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, starting in December 2026.

This makes one of Africa’s busiest long-haul routes even more accessible during peak travel season, particularly the Southern Hemisphere summer.

Cape Town remains one of the most in-demand long-haul leisure destinations globally - and this increase directly addresses ongoing pressure on flight availability.

What it means for travel to Cape Town

The additional flights align perfectly with:

• South Africa's peak tourism season (December–March)
• Growing global demand for long-haul, nature-based travel
• Increasing capacity upgrades planned at Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town

More flights also strengthen Cape Town's position as a key gateway to Southern Africa, especially for onward travel to:

• The Garden Route
• The Cape Winelands
• Kruger National Park (via connections)

Traveller insight

From a traveller strategy perspective:

• Book early for December/January - demand will still be strong
• Watch for introductory fares or increased Avios availability
• Consider mid-week departures for better pricing
• Use the added frequency to build more efficient itineraries

This move by British Airways is a clear signal: Cape Town demand isn’t slowing - it’s accelerating.

Final thoughts

British Airways’ decision to add a third daily flight to Cape Town is a major win for travellers, improving access to one of Africa’s most iconic destinations.

For anyone planning a South Africa trip in late 2026 or early 2027, this expansion could make your journey easier, more flexible, and potentially more affordable.

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Norse Atlantic Airways confirms London - Cape Town flights for 2026/27!

Norwegian low-cost, long-haul airline Norse Atlantic Airways has confirmed its third consecutive seasonal return to South Africa, operating nonstop flights between London and Cape Town from 10 September 2026 until 15 April 2027.
For leisure travellers, digital nomads, visiting friends and relatives (VFR) traffic, and long-haul bargain hunters, this route has quickly become one of the most attractive transcontinental options between the United Kingdom and Southern Africa.

What travellers need to know
Since launching the London - Cape Town route, Norse Atlantic Airways has steadily expanded its seasonal operations in response to strong demand. Previous seasons saw increased frequencies and extended operating periods, signalling sustained interest from both South African and European travellers.

For the 2026–27 season, travellers can expect:

• Seasonal operations: 10 September 2026 – 15 April 2027
• Nonstop flights between London Gatwick Airport (LGW) and Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
• Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner widebody
• Flight time: Approximately 11½ hours nonstop

Flexible flight frequencies based on demand
While final timetables remain subject to operational confirmation, Norse Atlantic Airways typically phases in the route gradually at the start of each season. In previous years, this approach has included:

• Lower frequencies in early September, ideal for shoulder-season travellers
• Increased services from October through March, aligning with peak summer travel to Cape Town
• Ongoing adjustments based on booking demand, with additional weekly flights added where viable

This flexible scheduling model has previously allowed Norse Atlantic Airways to extend seasons beyond initial end dates, an encouraging sign for travellers seeking more options into late autumn and early spring.

Why this route matters for travellers
The return of Norse Atlantic Airways strengthens competition on the UK–South Africa nonstop market, offering travellers more choice, modern aircraft, and flexible fare options - particularly valuable for long-stay visitors and winter sun seekers heading to Cape Town.

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Scandinavian Airlines expands codeshare with Virgin Atlantic to South Africa!

Scandinavian Airlines (SAS), the flagship carrier of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden, has officially broadened its codeshare partnership with Virgin Atlantic, giving travellers seamless access to South Africa. The expanded agreement now includes direct SAS bookings to Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, alongside existing destinations Dubai (DXB) and Malé (MLE; Maldives) for passengers connecting via Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London.
With this update, SAS places its “SK” code on selected Virgin Atlantic flights, enabling passengers to book these international routes directly through SAS’s website or travel channels. The expanded codeshare flights became available for booking on 06 October 2025, with travel commencing from 08 October 2025.

Both SAS and Virgin Atlantic are SkyTeam alliance members, offering enhanced opportunities for frequent flyer point earning and redemption across both carriers. This partnership strengthens connectivity between Europe, South Africa, and popular long-haul destinations, making it easier than ever for travellers to plan seamless international journeys.

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Virgin Atlantic updates London <> Johannesburg flight schedule from October 2025!

Virgin Atlantic has announced a significant adjustment to its flight schedule between Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London and Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport (JNB), set to take effect from 26 October 2025. The updated timings are designed to offer greater travel convenience and improved onward connectivity for both leisure and business travellers.
The schedule change forms part of Virgin Atlantic’s broader expansion in South Africa, which also includes an extended seasonal service to Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, further strengthening the airline’s footprint in the region.

New Virgin Atlantic flight schedule (from 26 October 2025):    

• London (LHR) > Johannesburg (JNB)
• New departure: 18:50 (previously 22:30)
• New arrival: 07:50 (previously 11:30)
• Johannesburg (JNB) > London (LHR)
• New departure: 21:45 (previously 19:30)
• New arrival: 06:50 (previously 04:50)

What the new schedule means for travellers:

• Earlier arrival in Johannesburg: Passengers can now connect more smoothly to domestic and regional flights across Southern Africa.
• Later evening departure from Johannesburg: Offers travellers additional flexibility for business meetings, safari transfers, or same-day connections.
• Improved UK connectivity: The earlier London departure and later UK arrival enhance onward links from Heathrow to Europe, North America, and beyond.

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Virgin Atlantic extends London <> Cape Town flights into April 2026!

Virgin Atlantic has announced exciting news for South African and international travellers: its popular seasonal daily service between in London and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town will operate for an extra month in 2026. The extension is designed to meet soaring demand over the Easter peak travel season, giving holidaymakers and business travellers more flexibility and seat availability on this high-demand route. 
Traditionally, Virgin Atlantic’s Cape Town flights run from mid-October to late March. For the upcoming 2025/2026 season, services will begin on 13 October 2025 and initially operate until 28 March 2026.
Now, in a welcome update, the airline will extend operations until 19 April 2026, providing an additional month of connectivity. This means approximately 17,000 extra seats will be available between London and Cape Town during this period.
From 26 October 2025 through 28 March 2026, Virgin Atlantic will operate a double-overnight flight schedule, designed for comfort and seamless onward connections:

• VS 478: London (22:30) > Cape Town (12:10 +1 day)
• VS 479: Cape Town (21:55) > London (07:45 +1 day)

This timing allows travellers to sleep on board, arrive refreshed, and easily connect to onward flights through Heathrow’s extensive global network. The Cape Town route will be served by the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, known for its fuel efficiency, reduced cabin altitude, and enhanced passenger comfort.

Seamless US Connections via London
Virgin Atlantic has also optimised the Cape Town schedule to align with its extensive United States route network. Passengers arriving in London can connect on the same day to major US cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Orlando, making this extension particularly attractive for both leisure and corporate travellers heading across the Atlantic.

With this extension, Virgin Atlantic is reaffirming its commitment to Cape Town as a premier long-haul destination while offering travellers more options during peak demand.

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Cape Town named World’s Best City 2025!

Cape Town has once again claimed global recognition as it was officially named the Best City in the World by readers of The Telegraph in the 2025 Telegraph Travel Awards. Known for its stunning natural beauty, vibrant cultural scene, and world-class hospitality, the South African city has long been a favourite among international travellers - and this year (again), it topped the prestigious list, reaffirming its status as one of the world’s most beloved destinations. It is the seventh time that Cape Town has received this honour from The Telegraph, and remarkably, the second time this year it has been crowned the world’s best city - following a similar ranking by Time Out earlier in 2025.

In addition to Cape Town's victory, South Africa was voted the 4th Best Country in the World (2023 position: 1st), cementing its appeal as a top-tier travel destination. The country's diverse offerings - from the iconic Kruger National Park and Garden Route to the Cape Winelands and vibrant urban hubs like Johannesburg and Durban - continue to attract adventure seekers, nature lovers, and cultural enthusiasts alike.

Further north, Botswana also made an impressive showing in the awards, ranking as the 10th Best Country in the World (2023 position: 10th) . Renowned for its pristine wilderness, exclusive safari lodges, and sustainable tourism practices, Botswana remains a top destination for travellers seeking an intimate and eco-conscious African experience. Highlights include the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, and the Makgadikgadi Pans.

The Telegraph Travel Awards are based on votes from more than 20,000 of readers of The Telegraph, one of the UK’s leading newspapers. The awards celebrate excellence in global travel, highlighting the destinations that consistently exceed expectations and deliver unforgettable experiences.

Uganda Airlines to launch direct flights between Entebbe <> London!

Uganda Airlines, the national carrier of Uganda, is set to introduce direct flights between Entebbe International Airport (EBB) in Entebbe and Gatwick Airport (LGW) in London, UK. Starting 18 May 2025, the airline will operate four weekly flights on the modern Airbus A330-800neo, featuring Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class seating.
The new route is designed for seamless connectivity to North America, Europe, and key African destinations, such as Lusaka (Zambia), Harare (Zimbabwe) and Johannesburg (South Africa), through Uganda Airlines’ expanding regional network. This strategic addition enhances travel options for business and leisure travellers while strengthening Uganda's position as a key aviation hub in East Africa.

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British Airways to add third daily service between London Heathrow and Cape Town!

British Airways, the flag carrier of the United Kingdom, is set to enhance its connectivity between London and Cape Town by introducing an additional frequency during the European Winter 2025/2026 season. From 09 November 2025, the airline will operate a third daily return service between Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, South Africa.
The new flight, BA45/BA44, is scheduled to depart from London on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with the return leg from Cape Town taking off the following day. This service will complement British Airways’ existing twice-daily flights on the route, further increasing travel options for both leisure and business passengers.

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Norse Atlantic Airways expands London <> Cape Town route for 2025/26!

Norwegian low-cost, long-haul airline Norse Atlantic Airways is enhancing connectivity between London Gatwick (LGW) in London, England, and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, South Africa, by increasing flight frequency and improving travel options for the 2025/26 season.

From 01 April 2025 to 27 April 2025, the airline will increase its current three-weekly service to four weekly flights, providing greater accessibility for travelers.

• Departing Cape Town: Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 11:00, arriving in London Gatwick at 21:40.
• Departing London Gatwick: Saturdays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 20:00, arriving in Cape Town at 08:30 the next day.

Norse Atlantic Airways will resume its seasonal service from 28 October 2025, through November 2025 with three weekly flights.

• Departing Cape Town: Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 11:45, arriving in London Gatwick at 21:20.
• Departing London Gatwick: Saturdays, Mondays, and Wednesdays at 20:30, arriving in Cape Town at 09:50 the following day.

To meet rising demand, Norse Atlantic Airways will increase service to four weekly flights from 01 December 2025, through April 2026.

• Departing Cape Town: Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 11:45, arriving in London Gatwick at 21:20.
• Departing London Gatwick: Saturdays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays at 20:30, arriving in Cape Town at 09:50 the next day.

These enhancements ensure greater flexibility and improved travel options for passengers flying between London and Cape Town throughout 2025 and into 2026.

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British Airways and Airlink expand codeshare to include Botswana!

British Airways, the United Kingdom’s flag carrier, and South African regional airline Airlink have expanded their codeshare agreement to include destinations in Botswana. According to reports, the enhanced agreement has been gradually implemented since late January 2025. It now covers Airlink’s return flights between OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport (GBE) in Gaborone, Maun Airport (MUB) in Maun, and Kasane International Airport (BBK) in Kasane. Additionally, from 01 April 2025, the codeshare will extend to Airlink’s new route between Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town and Gaborone.

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UK: British Airways boosts capacity to South Africa!

The flag carrier airline of the United Kingdon, British Airways, is set to increase capacity on its London to Johannesburg route. The airline will introduce a second daily Airbus A380 service between Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the Northern summer 2025 season. From 01 June 2025 the second daily Airbus A380 service will replace the Boeing 777-300ER currently operating on this route (BA56/BA57).
The additional Airbus A380 flights will provide 215 more seats between London and Johannesburg - 173 more economy seats, 15 more in premium economy, 21 more in business class and six more in first class than the Boeing 777-300ER. The schedules for the daily flights remain unchanged.

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Virgin Atlantic extends its seasonal London <> Cape Town service! [update]

update (25 October 2024): Virgin Atlantic's seasonal service between Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town will commence on 27 October 2024.

British airline Virgin Atlantic will extend its seasonal service 2024/25 between Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. Due to popular demand, the service to Cape Town, which usually runs between October and March, will be operated until 30 April 2025. This covers the Easter school holidays in the UK. The Cape Town flights are operated on Virgin Atlantic's Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

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Norse Atlantic Airways launches flights between London <> Cape Town! [update]

update (18 April 2024): Norse Atlantic Airways' new service to Cape Town will operate seasonally.

Norwegian low-cost, long-haul airline Norse Atlantic Airways is set to launch scheduled direct flights between London Gatwick (LGW) in London, England, and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town, South Africa. The airline will operate three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from London to Cape Town and on Tuedays, Thursdays and Sundays from Cape Town to London. The new service will commence on 28 October 2024.

• London 20:00 > 09:30+1 Cape Town
• Cape Town 11:45 > 21:35 London

Norse Atlantic Airways is an airline specializing in low-cost, long-haul, direct flights to a range of exciting destinations on the intercontinental market. The company’s first flight took off from Oslo to New York on 14 June 2022. The airline holds two Air Operator’s Certificates (AOCs), one in Norway and one in the UK. The new service between London and Cape Town will be operated by Norse Atlantic UK Ltd, a fully integrated subsidiary of Norse Atlantic Airways.

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South Africa: CemAir and British Airways sign & implement an interline agreement!

South African regional carrier CemAir and the flag carrier of the United Kingdom, British Airways, have signed and implemented an interline agreement that opens up connections to more destinations in Southern Africa through British Airways' gateways of Johannesburg and Cape Town. The agreement includes the convenience of single ticket itineraries with onwards booking and baggage transfers from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Bloemfontein, Kimberley, Margate, Durban, Hoedspruit, Plettenberg Bay, George (all in South Africa), Maun (Botswana) and Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe).
British Airways operates double daily flights between London and Johannesburg, as well as up to triple daily flights between London and Cape Town on some days during peak season.

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UK: Virgin Atlantic has resumed its seasonal service between London <> Cape Town!

British airline Virgin Atlantic has resumed its seasonal service between Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town on 28 October 2023. The daily service will run until end of March 2024. The seasonal flights will add over 80,000 seats between London and Cape Town and complement Virgin Atlantic's existing service between London and OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg. The Cape Town flights are operated on Virgin Atlantic's Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

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Angola: TAAG Angola Airlines to introduce flights to the UK!

According to reports from various aviation news websites, TAAG Angola Airlines, the flag carrier of Angola, is set to make a return to the United Kingdom. The airline, which just recently ordered four 787 Dreamliner aircraft from Boeing, is set to introduce a non-stop service on bord a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft between Quatro de Fevereiro International Airport (LAD) in Luanda and London Gatwick (LGW), the secondary international airport serving London. Flights are expected to commence on 14 December 2023. TAAG Angola Airlines has not released a schedule yet. However, British airline schedule analyst @SeanM1997 recently wrote on "X" (formerly twitter), that, according to his information, the airline will operate three weekly flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (LAD > LGW) and on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays (LGW > LAD). We'll keep you posted! 

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Airlink & British Airways sign codeshare agreement!

British Airways, the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, and South African privately-owned regional airline Airlink have signed a codeshare agreement. Under the agreement, British Airways’ customers travelling from or transiting through Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London will be able to connect to their final destination via Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town or OR Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg on a single ticket. In total, 18 destinations are available as codeshare options when travelling from London via Johannesburg and Cape Town. Examples include:

• Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London to Durban via Johannesburg
• Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) via Cape Town or Johannesburg
• Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London to Skukuza via Cape Town or Johannesburg
• Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London to Windhoek via Cape Town or Johannesburg
• Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London to Walvis Bay via Cape Town or Johannesburg

Codeshare tickets are now available to book for travel from 15 February 2023 onwards. Other Southern Africa destinations are pending government approval and might join the codeshare agreement at a later date.

British Airways currently flies twice daily between Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London and Johannesburg with A380 aircraft, twice daily between Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Cape Town with B777 and A350 aircraft and three times per week between Gatwick Airport (LGW) in London and Cape Town with B777 aircraft.

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UK: British Airways to increase flights between London <> Cape Town!

The flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, British Airways, is set to increase flights between Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town. Effective 20 November 2022, the airline will operate two daily return flights to Cape Town instead of the currently daily service. Flights will be onboard the airline's Airbus A350 and Boeing 777 jets.
Starting 13 December 2022, British Airways will also resume its thrice-weekly flights from Gatwick Airport (LGW) in London  to Cape Town. Flights will take off on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday. Both services will run until 25 March 2023.

• London (LHR) 18:25 > 08:00+1 Cape Town
• London (LHR) 22:10 > 11:55+1 Cape Town
• Cape Town 18:40 > 04:45+1 London (LHR)
• Cape Town 21:00 > 06:55+1 London (LHR)

• London (LGW) 20:30 > 10:15+1 Cape Town
• Cape Town 20:10 > 06:20+1 London (LGW)

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