Air Zimbabwe, Aviation, Airliners, Airlines of Africa Encyclopedia

Air Rhodesia
Air Zimbabwe

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Air Zimbabwe Boeing 707-330B, VP-WKR c/n 18819 (ex LH D-ABOX)
Photo: Carl Ford

Air Rhodesia was originally founded in 1963 and started operations with two Douglas
DC-3, Dakotas and served on the domestic routes to Kariba, Victoria Falls, Gwelo and Fort Victoria from Salisburg (Harare). The Central African Airways (CAA) Vickers Viscounts operated all regional services and BOAC operated the international service to London.

When the increasingly strained political situation caused the break up of CAA 1967 and later when the Dakotas were withdrawn from the fleet and transferred to the Rhodesian Air Force, Air Rhodesia became a major Vickers Viscount operator.

In 1973 three Boeing 720-025 were obtained from Jet Aviation, Basel in Switzerland. All aircrafts were ex. Eastern Air Lines. These aircrafts were operated on all regional services to Johannesburg and Durban, South Africa for the remainder of the Airline's life.

VP-YNL c/n 18162 "Manicaland"
VP-YNM c/n 18242 "Matabeleland"
VP-YNN c/n 18244 "Mashonaland"

During 1979 Air Rhodesia was renamed to Air Zimbabwe Rhodesia and when Rhodesia became Zimbabwe in 1980 and the airline became Air Zimbabwe.


Boeing 707-330B, Z-WKR
Photo: Patric Luzt

During early 1980 the Air Zimbabwe Boeing 720 fleet was phased out and renewed by four Boeing 707-330B. The two last Vicker Viscount 810-serie were purchased from DAN-Air, UK.


Vickers Viscount, c/n unknown. Here, 1990 without engines/props
Photo: Bill Hough

A singel aircraft of the type BAe-146, registrated Z-WPD was ordered and delivered in January 1988 to the Ministry of Defence as a VIP aircraft. Due to the decided withdraw of the last Viscounts and due to lack of funds to extend the short runway at i.e. Kariba, the Government had to solve this upcoming situation by useing the ordered BAe-146 which was suitable for short take-off and landings. The BAe-146 is currently parked due to fuel shortage and the collapse of the tourism industry resulting from domestic political condition whithin the country.

Two Fokker 50, Z-WPG and Z-WPH were delivered in early 1995 on a 10-years intended lease but unfortunately these aircrafts were incapable of serving the "hot and high-destinations" with adequate payloads and were returned to the lessor.


BAe-146, Z-WPD, c/n E2065, photo: Bill Hough
Fokker 50, Z-WPH, c/n 20105, photo: Rolf Wallner

In 1997 Air Zimbabwe was privatised and the initial fleet of four Boeing 707-330B and two Vickers Viscounts were phased out and replaced by two Boeing 767-200ER and three Boeing 737-200 Adv. The Boeing 737 operates on domestic and regional routes while the Boeing 767 operates on international routes to London/Gatwick and Frankfurt.


Boeing 737-2NO/Adv, Z-WPA, photo: Sam Chui
Boeing 767-2NO/ER, Z-WPF, photo: Eddy Cuperus


Current fleet:
B737 Z-WPA c/n 23677
B737 Z-WPB c/n 23678
B737-Z-WPC c/n 23679

B767 Z-WPE c/n 24713
B767 Z-WPF c/n 24867



This site is not sponsored by Air Zimbawe!

Credits

Eddy Cuperus, Airliners Net
Carl Ford, Airliners Net
Bill Hough , Auctiontransport.com
Patric Lutz, SOARES,1900 Lisboa
Rolf Wallner, Airliners Net
Sam Chui, Airliners Net

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Last updated 2008-07-24
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©Copyright 1998 by Tony Edlind
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