Air Zimbabwe resumes Harare-London flights via ACMI deal with Spain's Plus Ultra

Air Zimbabwe is set to revive its Harare-London service after more than 14 years of suspension by entering into an aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) agreement with Chapman Freeborn. Under this deal, Spain's Plus Ultra airline will operate the route on behalf of the Zimbabwean flag carrier, utilizing an Airbus A330 aircraft. The route is scheduled to start by the end of the month with flights operating three times a week to London Gatwick airport.

The arrangement was driven by the fact that Air Zimbabwe itself remains banned from operating in UK and European Union airspace under its own aircraft. The carrier is on the UK Air Safety List and is blacklisted by the European Commission following safety concerns flagged by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency since 2017. This blacklist prevents Air Zimbabwe from directly flying to London or anywhere else in the EU with its own planes.

To navigate regulatory restrictions, Air Zimbabwe partnered with Chapman Freeborn, a part of Avia Solutions Group specializing in leasing and charter solutions. Chapman Freeborn’s Madrid-based division facilitated the long-term ACMI contract with Plus Ultra, a Spanish charter operator. This arrangement enables Air Zimbabwe to offer a direct international connection without breaching the EU and UK airline operating bans.

Chapman Freeborn emphasized the growth in demand for flexible capacity in African aviation markets, where airlines often seek efficient ways to rebuild route networks while managing fleet constraints and regulatory challenges. Linas Dovydenas, president for India, Middle East and Africa at Chapman Freeborn, underscored that the new Harare-London link represents a major milestone for Air Zimbabwe and revives critical connectivity with the UK.

Daniel Huggins, ACMI director at Chapman Freeborn, noted the complexity of organizing long-haul leases that integrate several stakeholders. The coordination involved airlines, operators, aviation authorities, and commercial partners working together to establish a viable operating framework for the strategically important Zimbabwe-UK corridor.

Historically, Air Zimbabwe operated Harare-London flights until 2011 when operations ceased after one of its Boeing 767-200 aircraft was impounded at Gatwick due to alleged overdue payments for aircraft parts. Since then, the airline has primarily focused on domestic and regional African routes. Its current fleet includes models such as the A330-300, ATR 42-500, Boeing 777-200, 767-200, 737, and Embraer ERJ-145, but none can be used to fly directly into the EU or UK due to the continued ban.

This route restoration through ACMI leasing exemplifies how African carriers under regulatory restrictions can maintain international service by leveraging partnerships with compliant operators. The three-times-weekly schedule between Harare and London Gatwick introduces a flexible operating model that respects safety mandates while addressing passenger demand on this important long-haul route.

The restoration of these flights could enhance travel and economic ties between Zimbabwe and the UK, potentially boosting tourism and trade. Monitoring the performance and longevity of this ACMI partnership will provide insights into how such arrangements can serve other carriers facing similar operating obstacles in global airspace environments.