Freeman Razemba
AIR ZIMBABWE is carrying an average of 450 passengers and 25 tonnes of cargo on each return flight between Harare and London, as the national airline moves to expand its network and strengthen its contribution to tourism, trade and investment.
The airline’s Airbus A330-300 operates three weekly flights from the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to London Gatwick, departing Harare on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with return flights operating on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Air Zimbabwe is also planning to expand its domestic network while pursuing additional international routes, including Dubai, Beijing and Guangzhou. The developments were revealed on Wednesday during the airline’s fourth annual general meeting (AGM) in Harare, which focused on its performance for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The AGM was attended by Transport and Infrastructural Development Deputy Minister Joshua Sacco, Air Zimbabwe board members led by chairperson Dr Silvanos Gwarinda, chief executive officer Mr Edmund Makona, Mutapa Investment Fund head of cluster Mrs Chiedza Mudzingwa and other stakeholders.
In an interview, Mr Makona said the London route was already generating significant passenger and cargo volumes.
Air Zimbabwe’s turnaround strategy, Mr Makona added, was aligned with the Vision 2030 agenda and focused on governance, human capital development, aircraft maintenance and engineering, and expanding air connectivity.
He also said the airline had made progress in clearing its financial audit backlog and was close to completing its 2025 financial audits.
The restoration of the London route is creating opportunities for Zimbabwean businesses, particularly fresh produce exporters, while also responding to demand from the diaspora.
The airline is considering further international expansion. On the domestic front, Air Zimbabwe has resumed flights to Masvingo, particularly to support connectivity during major events, while continuing services to Mutare.
Dr Gwarinda said the airline continued to rebuild its operational capacity, with the addition of a second ERJ145 aircraft during 2024 improving fleet availability and supporting domestic and regional operations.
“Scheduled services continued to connect Harare with Victoria Falls, Bulawayo, Johannesburg and Dar es Salaam, thereby maintaining the airline’s strategic role in facilitating national connectivity, tourism and regional trade,” he said.
Passenger traffic increased by 1 percent to 33 676 during the year, while the average network load factor improved marginally to 46 percent.
Dr Gwarinda said the figures showed the need for continued investment in fleet expansion, network optimisation, distribution systems and commercial partnerships.
Cargo operations, however, recorded strong growth, with total volumes increasing by 59,4 percent, driven largely by a 101,4 percent increase in regional cargo traffic.
Financially, 2024 was among the airline’s strongest years in recent history, with revenue increasing by 42,6 percent from US$7,54 million to US$10,74 million.
Gross losses narrowed by more than 90 percent, while the net loss fell by 31,7 percent from US$10,44 million to US$7,12 million.
Total assets increased by 32,1 percent to US$89,85 million, while shareholders’ equity more than doubled to US$40,31 million following the revaluation of strategic assets and continued shareholder support.
However, Dr Gwarinda said the airline continued to face liquidity constraints, ageing fleet infrastructure, foreign currency obligations, rising operating costs and intense regional competition.
Management had been directed to intensify cost optimisation, strengthen commercial performance, expand strategic partnerships and accelerate digital transformation initiatives.
Source: Air Zim carrying 450 passengers, 25 tonnes cargo on London return flights – herald
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