Home / Cargo Airlines / Air Zimbabwe (UM) Cargo
National flag carrier of Zimbabwe — air freight services from China to Africa, Europe & the Middle East
Air Zimbabwe is the national airline of Zimbabwe, headquartered at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare. Established on 1 September 1967 as Air Rhodesia, it adopted its current name in April 1980. The airline operates passenger and cargo services across Africa, with a strategic focus on re-establishing long-haul routes to London and Beijing.
IATA code: UM | ICAO code: AZW | Callsign: AIR ZIMBABWE
Air Waybill prefix: 168 (to be confirmed – please verify with your booking agent)
Air Zimbabwe's fleet currently comprises six aircraft (as of 2023), with a mix of narrow-body and wide-body jets. The airline is actively converting one of its stored B767-200ERs into a dedicated freighter to expand cargo capacity.
| Aircraft Type | Count | Max Payload (est.) | Range | Role / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 767-200ER | 2 (1 being converted to freighter) | ~45–50 tonnes (belly) / ~52 tonnes (freighter conversion) | ~11,000 km | Long-haul; planned cargo conversion for increased freight capacity |
| Boeing 737-200 | 1 | ~15 tonnes | ~4,200 km | Domestic & regional routes |
| Airbus A320-200 | 1 | ~18 tonnes | ~6,100 km | Regional / international routes |
| Embraer ERJ-145 | 1 | ~5 tonnes | ~3,700 km | Domestic & regional feeder |
| Boeing 777-200ER | 2 (stored, available for lease) | ~65 tonnes | ~14,300 km | Long-haul; currently on dry-lease market |
Fleet data sourced from public reports; actual configurations may vary. Please confirm with your booking agent.
Air Zimbabwe does not currently maintain a dedicated sales office in mainland China. For cargo bookings, charters, and rate inquiries from China, please contact Goodhope Freight (see Booking Guide below) or work with a local GSA (General Sales Agent).
Air Zimbabwe Cargo Headquarters:
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Harare, Zimbabwe
+263 712 875 369 / +263 712 831 453 / 465
www.airzimbabwe.aero/cargo/
For up-to-date China representation details, please consult your freight forwarder.
Air Zimbabwe is converting one of its two stored B767-200ERs into a dedicated freighter. This will provide significant belly-hold and main-deck cargo capacity for exports from Zimbabwe and regional markets, including fresh horticultural produce, pharmaceuticals, and general cargo.
Passenger aircraft (A320, B737, B767, and wet-leased A330-300) offer substantial belly-hold cargo space. The Airbus A330-300, operated under a wet-lease agreement with Plus Ultra Líneas Aéreas for the Harare–London route, provides wide-body cargo capacity for high-value and time-sensitive shipments.
Air Zimbabwe has historically operated passenger services to Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport (CAN). The airline has publicly stated its intent to relaunch Harare–Beijing flights as a priority route.
| Airport (City) | IATA Code | Status | Frequency / Schedule | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beijing Capital | PEK | Planned relaunch | [To be confirmed] | Harare (HRE) (via intermediate stop likely) |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | CAN | Suspended | Previously operated; currently not active | Harare (HRE) |
| Please consult your local agent for the latest schedule and availability. Flight schedules are subject to change. | ||||
Note: Air Zimbabwe does not currently operate dedicated cargo flights from China. Cargo from China to Zimbabwe and beyond is typically routed via connecting hubs (e.g., Dubai, Johannesburg, Nairobi) or through interline agreements.
While Air Zimbabwe does not currently operate direct cargo flights from China, cargo can be routed via the airline's network or interline partners to the following destinations:
Destinations sourced from historical route maps and public announcements. Please confirm current network with your agent.
Air Zimbabwe's network provides a direct gateway to key African economies, including South Africa, Kenya, Zambia, and Tanzania. For Chinese exporters, this means reduced transit times and simplified logistics compared to routing via European hubs.
The airline has demonstrated capability in handling pharmaceuticals, live animals, dangerous goods (IATA-compliant), and perishables. This is particularly valuable for Chinese exporters of medical supplies, electronics, and agricultural products.
With a six-year turnaround plan and a focus on Harare–Beijing and Harare–London routes, Air Zimbabwe is positioning itself as a competitive option for China–Africa trade. The conversion of a B767 into a dedicated freighter signals growing cargo commitment.
As a trusted freight partner in China, Goodhope Freight offers seamless access to Air Zimbabwe cargo capacity. Our team handles the entire booking process — from rate negotiation to documentation and tracking.
sales8015@goodhopefreight.com
+86 13392162503
www.goodhopefreight.com
For charter inquiries or special cargo requirements, please contact us directly.
Air Zimbabwe has a proven track record in handling temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals. In 2021, the airline successfully delivered 1.2 million doses of Sinopharm vaccines and essential medical supplies to Zimbabwe. The airline maintains IATA-compliant dangerous goods handling procedures for pharmaceutical shipments.
Air Zimbabwe Cargo offers specialized handling for live animals, including livestock, pets, and zoo animals. Shipments are accepted in compliance with IATA Live Animal Regulations (LAR), with trained ground staff ensuring welfare throughout the journey.
With the resumption of the Harare–London route, Air Zimbabwe is positioned to support fresh horticultural exports from Africa to European markets. Chinese exporters of perishable goods can leverage this network for interline connections to Europe and beyond.
Air Zimbabwe is implementing a six-year strategic turnaround plan focused on fleet modernization, route expansion, and revenue growth. Key priorities include relaunching Harare–Beijing and Harare–London routes, converting passenger aircraft to freighters, and enhancing cargo capabilities. This presents a growing opportunity for Chinese exporters seeking direct air freight links to Africa.