HARARE – Air Zimbabwe’s newly relaunched Harare–London service suffered its first cancellation within 10 days on Friday, dealing an early setback to the national carrier’s efforts to win back customers after a 14-year absence.
The 10:40PM departure was cancelled following what staff described to frustrated passengers as “an issue with one of our crew members.”
ZimLive understands that one of the pilots assigned to the wet-leased Airbus A330-300 reported sick. The airline is currently operating the route using outsourced capacity under an arrangement with Spanish carrier Plus Ultra, which supplies both the aircraft and crew.
With no standby pilot available in Harare, the flight could not depart.
In a statement issued Saturday, Air Zimbabwe said the flight had been “postponed” due to “operational reasons.”
The Harare–London service is now scheduled to depart at 9PM on Saturday, arriving at London Gatwick at 6AM on Sunday. The return leg, initially set to leave London on Saturday, will now depart at 8AM on Sunday and is expected to land in Harare at 7PM the same day.
With the aircraft now positioned in Harare, the airline is hoping to resume normal operations with the next scheduled departure to London on Sunday night.
Air Zimbabwe operates three weekly flights on the route, departing Harare on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with return services from London on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
