Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Hon. Barbara Rwodzi, has praised President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s leadership following the successful relaunch of Air Zimbabwe’s direct Harare-London route yesterday, ending a 16-year suspension.
The historic flight was officially launched at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport under the theme “Fly Direct, Experience Zimbabwe,” marking a major milestone for Zimbabwe’s tourism and aviation sectors.
Speaking during the ceremony, Minister Rwodzi thanked President Mnangagwa, Cabinet, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, and the Mutapa Investment Fund for making the project possible.
“The Whole-of-Government Approach, championed by His Excellency President E.D. Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 of attaining an Upper Middle-Income Economy, continues to position aviation as a critical enabler of tourism, economic transformation and global connectivity,” she said.
The minister said the return of the direct route reconnects Zimbabwe with the United Kingdom, the country’s second-largest international tourism source market after the United States.
“Restored connection is expected to boost tourist arrivals, investment, trade and strengthen Zimbabwe’s global competitiveness,” she said.
Minister Rwodzi also highlighted Zimbabwe’s growing international recognition, noting that the country was named Forbes’ World’s Number One Must-Visit Country in 2025, featured by Condé Nast Traveler among the Best Places to Visit in 2026, and honoured by PATWA as Destination of the Year for Natural Wonders.
“The Government will now focus on marketing Destination Zimbabwe to maximise the opportunities created by the restored route, following an 11 percent increase in international tourist arrivals,” she said.
Guest of Honour, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Hon. Advocate Felix Mhona, commended Minister Rwodzi for her continued support of the aviation sector.
“The Harare-London route will improve connectivity, strengthen ties with the Zimbabwean diaspora, attract investment, increase trade and further position Zimbabwe as a preferred tourism destination,” he said.
The return of the Harare-London service represents more than the resumption of flights. It reopens a vital international gateway that is expected to drive tourism growth and support Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 development agenda.
