Air Zimbabwe (UM, Harare International) has reportedly opened negotiations with an undisclosed Chinese investor with the aim of resuming international flights to London Gatwick and Beijing Capital before year-end.

“We are at an advanced stage, our technical team is engaging a technical partner who is very keen to service operations with Air Zimbabwe to service the routes to China and London Gateway,” Zimbabwean Minister of Transport, Obert Mpofu, told Newsday. “We are talking to the Chinese. In fact, Air Zimbabwe will be flying to Shanghai Pudong and Beijing very soon. We have a serious invitation, with one serious big airline operation for flights to London and China.”

Air Zimbabwe suspended its Gatwick services in late 2011 when one of its two B767-200(ER)s was impounded by American General Suppliers over USD1.2million in outstanding debts.

While the debt-ridden airline has announced plans to resume international flights at various points over the last three years, none have resulted in any concrete action.

Sources inform ch-aviation that with the poor quality of Air Zimbabwe's B767 on-board product, the airline is considering leasing an A340 from South Africa's Global Aviation Operations (GE, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) for its longhaul needs.