"Transportation China" has been involved in all aspects of public transportation in Zimbabwe: road, rail and air. In 2004, Air Zimbabwe reached an agreement with the Chinese National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation for the acquisition of a long-haul plane (replacing one of their Boeing 767-200ER)
Air Zimbabwe has also benefitted from Chinese At the same time Air Zimbabwe signed an agreement to buy two Xian MA-60 Air Zimbabwe had also benefitted from Chinese generosity through the gift of one MA 60 aircraft, free of charge
It was noted at the time that this was aimed at assisting tourism in Zimbabwe. Although there were initial reports of technical difficulties, these were largely unfounded.
2005
Xian MA60 Z-WPK at Vic Falls Int. airport Zimbabwe
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Air Zimbabwe took delivery of the three (3) Chinese aircraft Xian MA-60 , Z-WPJ and Z-WPK on 27th May. The MA-60 Z-WPL was delivered on 24th August.
Xian MA60 Z-WPK at Victoria Falls
To fill up a Boeing 767-200, 23.980 US gallons or 90.777 liters
Following world economic crisis and lack of hard currency in the country to pay of fuel led to the cancellation of the carrier's operations in late 2005.
2006
In October 2006, the prices of Air Zimbabwe tickets increased up to 500%, partly due
to the inflation in the country rising to over 1,000% at that time, the Zimbabwean Central Bank stated that it could not continue supporting Air Zimbabwe and other money-losing state companies and partly because the airline was in need of foreign currency to pay for fuel, spare parts, and catering. In 2006, it was disclosed that passenger numbers had fallen from 1 million in 1999 to 23,000 in 2005.
Xian MA60 Z-WPL parked for service at Johannesburg Int.airport, SA 2006.
Photo: Ray Barber
Due to lack of spare parts at the home base, the Xian MA-60 Z-WPL was flewn to Johannesburg for service in September and returned for operations a month later.
2009
Xian MA60 Z-WPJ, 2009
Photo: African Airliners archive
On 11th March 2009, Harare Int. airport. During the takeoff in night-conditions the Xian MA60 Z-WPJ hit warthogs the on runway and the left main gear collapsed. The plane skidded on runway and veered off. All passengers ceased, but the aircraft got extensive body-damage. The plane was withdrawn from use (WFU) at Harare Int airport.
2010
Air Quarius or Foster Aero Int Fokker F28 ZS-DRF msn 11239 at Lanseria 2010, SA
Photo: A J Best
This is interesting a Fokker F28-4000 ZS-DRF in Air Zimbabwe titles that has been seen for some weeks in September 2010 at Lanseria (homebase) and at Jo-burg. It must have been a kind of atempt - a proposal, leased it to AirZim 2010 for awhile or what?
2011
In May 2011, the airline was suspended from IATA's international financial and booking system over unpaid booking fees.It was announced in early November 2011 that the government would absorb a US$140 million debt in order to make the company more attractive to foreign investors. Already in December 2011, the carrier struggled to provide its regional and overseas services amid aircraft impoundment over unpaid debts.
2012
In January 2012, the airline came under judicial management. Following a failed revival attempt, in which the pilots refused to resume domestic services due paid salaries and allowances.
Air Zimbawes first Airbus A320-211 Z-WPM (wfu and std at JNB 18 Jan 2014)
Photo
Air Zimbabwe received its first Airbus A320 (F-WTBL) on 16 January 2012, leased from the lessor South Jet Two Limited, though it is uncertain as to what role the aircraft has actually played in servicing the airline's routes.
It was announced on 24 February 2012 that Air Zimbabwe would be grounded indefinitely.
In March of the same year, the government of Zimbabwe established Air Zimbabwe Private Limited as the new owner of the carrier after disbanding the airline's former parasitical owner Air Zimbabwe Holdings and absorbing a US$150 million debt.
The airline resumed flying on a continuous basis in early May 2012, yet using a single aircraft and serving only three domestic destinations—Bulawayo, Harare and Victoria Falls and only for a short period of time until the grounding of the aircraft on 2 July 2012.
Unconfirmed reports in June from Zimbabwe claim that troubled Zimbabwean flag carrier, Air Zimbabwe (UM), will "soon" lease a second Airbus A320 from China Sonangol
The airline was reactivated in late November 2012, with a reduced flight scheme serving the Harare–Johannesburg route.
2013
Air Zimbabwe has taken delivery of the first of two Airbus A320's, which is expected to operate on regional routes ahead of the country hosting the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in August 2013. The plane, which was under going for routine maintenance and safety checks yesterday at the Harare International Airport, had already had the airline’s livery. According to the airline, the A320 will start operating on the Harare-Johannesburg route soon.
Reports indicated the carrier resumed domestic operations connecting Bulawayo, Harare and Victoria Falls, as well as the regional route to Johannesburg, on a daily basis in April 2013, ahead of the 2013 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair. Approximately 600 employees out of more than 1,000 had been laid off by late May 2013 as part of cost-cutting measures aimed at recapitalizing the airline.
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority revealed in June 2013 that the airline's market share suffered a steep decrease in the year ending 31 December 2013, with a 0.8% participation in this period down from 27% in the same period of 2009.
2014
Big African AirShow held in Harare at Charles Prince Airport
Stunning Captain Joe Mpauri flys Air Zimbabwe B737-200 Z-WKB "Great Zimbabwe" just 10 feet over the ground.
2015
Air Zimbawe Boeing 737-200 Z-WPA in the new colour sheme
2016
In 2016, ministers secretly created a debt-free new national airline – Zimbabwe Airways – in the hope that it would be capacitated with airplanes and eventually rise from Air Zimbabwe’s ashes. The new airline collapsed after the plan was exposed, leaving Air Zimbabwe to take over negotiations to acquire two Boeing 777 aircraft from Malaysia and an Embraer ERJ 145 from the United States.
2017
Air Zimbabwe had to lease on short contracts i.e Boeing 737s from Starair Cargo (here seen ai.e Boeing 737-500 ZS-SPU) when their own aircraft are grounded.
After takeoff from Bulawayo Int. airport the Xian MA60 Z-WPK lost the preassure and the gasmasks were released. The plane returned to Bulawayo and all survived. The plane was later flewn to Harare Int. airport and it is reported that the aircraf tis for sale.
In early 2017 Air Zimbabwe forced to hire planes to serve its routes as foreign currency shortages are delaying the acquisition of spare parts for its grounded fleet. This has resulted in long flight delays and cancellations in the past week.
2018
Punctually at 12.30 on January 20, Z-RGM landed at Harare International Airport the ex Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200 in the livery of "Zimbabwe Airways" now registered Z-RGM (as an honoar to the President Robert Gabriel Mugabe) at Harare in the livery of "Zimbabwe Airways".
Since the airline could not secure its AOC for operating the aircraftit was parkedat Harare International airport. Then the B777 was shipped back to Malaysia on 25 May before a new deal was confirmed by the Zimbabwean authorities.
In November 2018, it became known that Zimbabwe Airways lost one of the planes as, reportedly, the government never payed for it. An unnamed official from the Ministry of Transport confirmed to "ZimLive" that: "The original plan was to buy four of the seven retired aircraft, but we have so far managed to pay for two fully of them, and a third should be secured. The Malaysians sold off the fourth after payment dragged on".
Apparently, the third aircraft was not secured and on December 10, Malaysia Airlines delivered it to Wilmington Trust Company (U.S.). The second B777 aircraft remained stored in Kuala Lumpur, presumably awaiting delivery to Harare.
On 8 June 2018, it was reported that Air Zimbabwe has debts of more than $300 million and can no longer fly to most destinations due to threats by debtors to impound its
aircraft. With mounting debt and only three of its aircraft operational, the airline was put under administration on 6 October 2018.
Despite the current flight ban in Europe, Air Zimbabwe continued to operate flights to Bulawayo, Victoria falls, Johannesburg and Dar es Salaam with their remaining aging aircraft, a Boeing B737-200 and a Boeing B767-200. At the end of the year, the Boeing 737-200 was taken out of service for heavy duty services.
2019
In July 2019, Air Zimbabwe came under fire when news emerged that the financially struggling airline is “missing” three aircraft, were “stolen” or “lost”.
The rumour emerged after the Auditor-General of Zimbabwe issued a disclaimer of opinion on June 20, 2019. In it, the auditor outlines that in 2011-2014 the airline operated three MA60 aircraft, but none of them were accounted for in the company’s financial statements. There were no documents or agreements regarding if the aircraft were sold or leased.
In response to the backlash, one of the airline’s spokesperson told the local media that Air Zimbabwe did not purchase the three MA60s but continued - “For state enterprises, government comes in from time to time to offer shareholder support”. Thus, it is the government that should have the missing documents. Meanwhile, the aircraft are not missing and “anyone is free to come and see them”.
This statement from the airline's spokesman is contradictory with reference to the 2004 agreement between the Chinese National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation and Air Zimbabwe that the airline buys two MA-60s and then receives as an generous gift from the seller another aircraft.
A late shot from Googel Earth shows "dusty" aircraft parked in the backyard closed to the maintenance area.
Harare Int. airport location of parked aircraft
Zimbabwe Airways Embraer ERJ145 N812HK msn 145373
Photo:
Zimbabwe government took delivery of an Embraer ERJ145 N812HK msn 145373 at Harare
Int'l on Tuesday, April 30 in the livery of the controversial start-up carrier Zimbabwe Airways.
The former Trans States Airlines twin-jet was ferried to Southern Africa from Kansas City Int'l via Gander, Reykjavik Kefla vik, Belfast International airport, North Ireland , Malta Int'l, and Aswan, Egypt. The acquisition of this aircraft plane was a part of efforts to revive the national airline, Air Zimbabwe.
Still in the end of december the Zimbabwean government had not jet obtained the ownership and crucial operating manual for the Embraer
ERJ-145.
2020
Boeing 777-200 Z-RGM on its way to the apron.
Photo:African Airliners Archive
In January the first ex Malaysia Airlines B777-200 with registration Z-RGM landed at Harare International airport. A delegation of participants from the government and the airline led by the country's Acting president and the airline's management a welcome ceremony was held. The President said in his speech "With this receipt of this Boeing 777 aircraft is clear testimony that we are taking concrete steps to capacitate our national airline so that it plays a role in promoting economic growth, creating jobs and facilitating international trade and tourism,” - further he continued “This initiative is therefore, part of our efforts towards the realisation of Vision 2030, as informed by our economic blueprint, the "Transitional Stabilisation Programme". That speech sounded very promising but there was another but . .
The second B777-200, Z-NBE was delivered to Air Zimbabwe in October the same year with the same destiny as Z-RGM to be stored at Harare Airport service area to be leased on the flight market.
Still in the end of December the Zimbabwean government had not jet obtained the ownership and crucial operating manual for the Embraer ERJ-145. And no airlinene had yet signed any agreement, there are to many Boeing 777 on the market and the two Boeing 777 will probably be a burden for Air Zimbabwe.
2022
At last, Air Zimbabwe ER-145 Z-WPQ in the new livery
Photo:
After a year long wait due to the pandemic pressure, the airline resumed its regional flights to Johannesburg with the "new" Embraer ERJ-145 jet.
Also domestic operations on June 2 serving the domestic cities of Harare-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls started four times weekly on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays operating in a triangular fashion. The flights are conveniet to boost the business community and the tourism sector.
The airline serves with the Dar Es Salaam flights already with its Boeing 737-200 Z-WPA in service. On Flightradar24 shows, that the flight is often canelled. The Boeing 737 "Mbuya Nehanda" has got the nickname "Ghost Plane" it shows up and disapear. It has been hunted by an "flight nird" without sucsees.
Mbuya Nehanda at the gate at Lusaka International Airport.
In November the "Ghost Plane" Z-WPA suddenly arrived at Lusaka International Airport, Zambia, and it was told to have been refurbished.
2024
In January Air Zimbabwe took delivery of its second ERJ-145LU N214MA that have been on delivery service for a long time.
The ownership of two A320s?
Air Zimbabwe A320-214 Z-WPM in front of Air Zimbabwe hangar at Harare International airport.
In June Air Zimbabwe was up in court to fight for ownership of two A320s. The two Airbus planeswere delivered to the carrier over seven years ago, but have barely been used yet.
Air Zimbabwe is in a tug of war with the Isle of Man company South Jet over two Airbus A320s. The aircrafts which are apparently parked up and not suitable for use right now, were acquired by the airline in 2012. However, the circumstances of the acquisition are muddy.
The carrier claims that the aircrafts were donated to the Government of Zimbabwe by authorities
The two Airbus A320-200s, registered Z-WPM and Z-WPN, we arranged to go to Zimbabwe in
a deal spearheaded by China Sonangol International. At the same time, the Chinese partner was looking to bail out the Mugabe regime and help revive the debt-laden national carrier.
The deal was brokered through two Isle of Man "special purpose vehicles", known as South Jet One and SouthJet Two. Z-WPM entered into active service for a while, but Z-WPN has been parked at Johannesburg O.R.Tambo since the start of 2014.
Fleet: 2022
A320-200 Z-WPM cn 630 stored JNB
A320-211 Z-WPN cn 1973 stored HRE
B737-2NO/ADV Z-WPA cn 23677 in service
B737-2NO/ADV Z-WPB cn 23678 stripped for spareparts
B737-2NO/ADV Z-WPC cn 23679 stripped for spareparts
B767-2NO/ER Z-WPE cn 24867 engineless
B767-2NO/ER Z-WPF cn 24713 in service
B777-200/ER Z-RGM cn 28421 stored at HRE (for lease or sale)
B777-200/ER Z-NGB cn XXXXX stored at HRE (for lease or sale)
Bae 146-200 Z-WPD cn E2065 wfu HRE
Embraer ERJ 145 N812HK in service
Xian MA 60 Z-WPJ cn 302 damaged
Xian MA 60 Z-WPK cn 306 wfu stored
Xian MA 60 Z-WPL cn 304 wfu damaged
This site is not sponsored by Air Zimbabwe!
Credits
Zambia Airways
1964
Zambia Airways Boeing 737-800NG 9J-ZAD msn 40961
Zambia Airways celebrated acquiring its first-ever locally registered Boeing 737-800, marking its entrance into the African regional market and hopes for future expansion.
The brand new Boeing 737-800 arrived Kenneth Kaunda international Airport Lusaka, Zambia on 26th Sepember 2023
News!
Updated 1st September, 2023
Zambia Airways De Havilland DHC-Q-8-400, 9J-ZAW
* * *
ZAMBIA AIRWAYS IS BACK IN THE SKIES!
Zambia Airways is a joint venture between Ethiopian Airlines (ET) and Zambian government through the industrial Development Corporation (IDC). Cheif Executive Officer Mr Bekele of Ethiopian Airlines said that they will "put maximum effort into this airline."Zambia is a big economy, we think this airline has a great future to fly domestically and regionally" he said".
ZAMBIA AIRWAYS FLEET
De Havilland DHC-Q-8-400, 9J-ZAW
ZAMBIA AIRWAYS FLIGHTS
LUSAKA - NDOLA
LUSAKA - LIVINGSTONE
LUSAKA SOLWEZI
Zambia Airways (1964-1995).
Zambia Airways was founded in 1964 as a subsidiary of Central African Airways. The original fleet consisted of two Douglas DC-3 and three DHC-2 Beavers which were suitable for i.e. airstips and small domestic airports. The carrier ordered a British Aircraft Corporation BAC 1-11 which joined the fleet during 1966.
Douglas DC-3 VP-YKH the first to be transferred to Zambia Airways.
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver 9J-RFZ msn 122.
British Aircraft Corporation BAC 1-11 5H-RCI ready to be delivered to Zambia Airways, here in the first initional colour scheme 1966.
By 1967 when Zambia Airways had become independent of Central African Airways the fleet was painted in a new coulour scheme and the Nationalsymbol "a flying eagel" on the fin. At this time the carrier further one BAC 1-11-207 and a couple of HS.748s to operate the domestic network of scheduled passenger and cargo services together with an international network linking capitals in Africa and Europe.
After the dissolution of Central African Airways, Zambia Airways was formed with the help of the Italian government. The airline started their operation from City Airport in the Lonacre area where the Italians experts had rapidly constructed valuable infrastructure including housing, head-
quartersa maintenance base until Lusaka International Airport, become fully operational late 1968.
Zambia Airways HS-748 9J-ABM and DC-3 9J-ROR parked at
Lusaka Int. airport late 1968.
Zambia Airways British Aircraft Corporation BAC 1-11 9J-RCI parked at Lusaka Int. airport
(LUN, Zambia 1970)
The airline began in late 1968 to operate international services. A Douglas DC-8- 43 was leased from Alitalia to operate flights from Lusaka to London via Nairobi, Cyprus and Rome.
The nice inflight service!
Douglas DC-3 9J-RDR msn 981 preparing for take-off.
Douglas DC-3 9J-RGY msn 16324/33072 parked in the backyard.
In 1969 the DC-3s and the Turbo Beavers were fully replaced by the new Hawker Siddelys HS-748s.
Hawker Siddely HS748 9J-ABM at Ngoma Airstrip, Zambia. (ZGN)(with QZ 1968 - 1975).
With inadequate pilots available, the Zambia Air Force had pilots and engineers seconded to the Zambia Airways to fly the HS748s.
British Aircraft Corporation BAC 1-11 9J-RCH c/n 039.
The BAC 1-11 aircrafts were intoduced in the airlines fleet early 1968. The aircrafts were operated on the international services to East Africa, Congo (Kinshasa) and Malawi (Blantyre), together with the important domestic services linking Lusaka, Livingstone and Ndola the Gateway to the Copper-
belt. In November, 1969 the BAC 1-11 shedule was extended to include Mauritius, while the HS-748s flew local routes.
In 1975 Zambia Airways decided to replace the leased DC-8-43 and instead acquired a Boeing 707 for the direct London service. By this time the carrier introduced the "green and orange style". The two BAC-1-11s where sold.
Boeing 707-300 9J-AEB c/n 19263. (with QZ 1975-1985).
Alitalia bowed out and a new management team from Ireland come in. The Alitalia management contract was replaced by Aer Lingus Irish Airlines. Zambia Airways quickly added two more Boeing 707s to the fleet and the carrier had three 707s including the freighter in its fleet.
Boeing 737-2M9/Adv 9J-AEG at Lusaka International Airport (LUN) 1982.
At the same year the BAC1-11s were replaced with a Boeing 737-200 that was often put into serviceto Johannesburg and other medium-haul routes. Another three Boeing 737-200s came to be procuredto Zambia Airways for the next four years.
Hawker Siddely HS748 9J-ABK at Lusaka International Airport. The Hawker Siddelys werereplaced ATR 42 and the BAC 1-11s by Boeing 737-200s.
In 1979 the government signed a new deal with Ethiopian Airlines to help and improve the technical and regional operations. The Zambian pilots and technicians were trained and flew under some very primitive condition in Ethiopia and realised that flying in Zambia was a piece of cake compared to the conditions in Ethiopia.
In 1982 ZIMCO takes over operations and Zambia Airways is converted from a Statutory Corporation to an ordinary company. Zambia Airways acquired its first Boeing 737 that year and it quickly
become a firm favourite on regional flights.
ATR-42-300 9J-AFC cn 0921 (with QZ 1988 - 1994)
"The widebody era" started in 1984 with the acquisition of a new DC-10-30. This was the first widebody used by Zambia Airways and was used to open a route to New York via Monrovia. The first DC-10-30, N3016Z was and christened "Nkwazi" was reportedly a point of national pride for many Zambian citizens.
McDonnel Douglas DC-10-30 N3016Z c/n 48266 (with QZ 1984 - 1995).
Boeing 707-330B Z-WKS at London Heathrow International Airport 1982. UK
