British Airways ‘in shock return to Zimbabwe’

British Airways will resume direct flights to Zimbabwe next spring after an absence of two years, a senior government official has claimed.

The UK flag carrier severed historic ties with the African country in September 2007 amid a deteriorating political and economic climate under President Robert Mugabe.

But according to David Chaota, chief executive officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, BA has now agreed with Harare to resume operations.

The official told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Communication that a deal has been reached to re-open the connection.

"British Airways will be coming back next year between March and April and that is why we have hope [of increased tourism] in 2010," state-run The Herald quoted Mr Chaota as saying. He added: "The coming back of BA may also bring in other airlines."

Global carriers including Lufthansa, Air France and Qantas axed flights to Zimbabwe during the height of political tensions, but a recent power-sharing deal between Mr Mugabe and longstanding rival Morgan Tsvangirai has improved the country's outlook.

A spokesperson for British Airways would not confirm the report, telling Cheapflights News: "We have no current plans to restart direct flights [to Harare]."

The press officer added: "We review our route network on an ongoing basis to ensure that we only fly to profitable destinations." Earlier this month, the Associated Press reported that tourism to Zimbabwe has more than tripled in light of greater stability in the country.

BA was the last foreign long-haul carrier to withdraw from Zimbabwe in 2007, halting 62 years of intermittent service to the former British colonial territory. Analysts say it would be a natural first choice in any effort to restore international air links.

The flag carrier already operates a connecting service to the Zimbabwean capital, via the South African city of Johannesburg, with codeshare partner Comair.

© Cheapflights Ltd

• { 1 comment }
• Print this article »