The relaunch of Air Zimbabwe’s direct flight between Harare and London marks an important milestone for the country’s tourism sector. The route, which was discontinued many years ago, is expected to improve international connectivity and boost the number of visitors travelling to Zimbabwe.
The development comes at a time when Zimbabwe is enjoying growing international recognition as a top travel destination. In 2025, Forbes named Zimbabwe the World’s Number One Must-Visit Country. The country was also featured by Condé Nast Traveler among the Best Places to Visit in 2026 and received the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) Destination of the Year for Natural Wonders award.
These accolades have strengthened Zimbabwe’s profile on the global tourism stage, making the return of the direct London route both timely and strategic.
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi believes the focus should now be on capitalising on this momentum.
“Priority is now to intensify the marketing of destination Zimbabwe and maximise the opportunities presented by the restored direct route to sustain the country’s impressive tourism momentum.”
Her remarks highlight the importance of converting international recognition into increased visitor arrivals and tourism investment.
The restored route is particularly significant because the United Kingdom is Zimbabwe’s second-largest source market for international tourists after the United States. Direct flights are expected to make travel more convenient, encouraging more leisure and business travellers to visit the country while also strengthening ties with the Zimbabwean diaspora.
Airbus A330-300 operating the route Harare-London route
Although the Airbus A330-300 operating the route is leased, its addition expands Air Zimbabwe’s fleet and enhances the airline’s capacity to compete in the regional and international aviation market. Increased air connectivity is expected to stimulate tourism growth, attract investment, promote trade, and create new business opportunities across the tourism value chain.
The renewed Harare-London service also opens the door for local tour operators to develop attractive travel packages, giving international visitors easier access to Zimbabwe’s world-renowned attractions, rich cultural heritage, and diverse wildlife.
For Zimbabwe, the return of the direct flight is more than just the revival of an air route—it is a symbol of renewed confidence in the country’s tourism industry and another step towards positioning Destination Zimbabwe as one of Africa’s leading travel destinations.
