Zimbabwe's national carrier connecting Africa and beyond.
Founded
1967
Headquarters
Harare, Zimbabwe
Air Zimbabwe is the national airline of Zimbabwe, wholly owned by the government of Zimbabwe. Founded in 1967 as Air Rhodesia, the carrier has undergone several name changes reflecting the country's political transitions, adopting the name Air Zimbabwe in 1980 following independence.
The airline has faced significant financial and operational challenges over the decades, including periods of fleet grounding, international sanctions, and debt restructuring. At various points, its fleet was reduced to just a handful of aircraft, severely limiting its route network.
Despite these difficulties, Air Zimbabwe continues to operate domestic routes within Zimbabwe and select regional international routes across southern and eastern Africa, serving as a critical link for the country's aviation connectivity.
Hubs & network
Air Zimbabwe operates primarily out of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, with Bulawayo Airport serving as a secondary base.
Fleet
Air Zimbabwe has operated a small mixed fleet including Boeing 737 and Bombardier Q300 turboprop aircraft, though fleet composition has varied considerably due to financial constraints.
Notable facts
- ›Originally founded as Air Rhodesia in 1967, renamed Zimbabwe Rhodesia Airways, then Air Zimbabwe in 1980.
- ›The airline has faced repeated grounding of aircraft due to unpaid debts and maintenance issues.
- ›Air Zimbabwe was placed under reconstruction in 2018 as part of a government-led turnaround effort.
- ›At its peak, the airline operated long-haul routes to Europe, including London and Frankfurt.
- ›The Zimbabwean government has repeatedly sought investors and restructuring plans to revive the carrier.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
