Rainbow Airlines (Harare International) has indefinitely deferred its launch date following complications with its regulatory paperwork. The start-up had planned to launch with Harare International-Johannesburg O.R. Tambo flights on Wednesday, August 26 using a B737-300 on wet-lease from Star Air (South Africa) (BRH, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo).

“This has come about through some changes in legislature which has directly affected issuance of Rainbow Airlines’ documents for operational purposes," the airline said in a statement. "Our handlers have advised us to postpone the launch whilst the application process is being concluded.”

Backed by local capital, Rainbow Airlines secured its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe in February of this year. Aside from Johannesburg, it also has plans to serve Cape Town International as well as Bulawayo, Kariba, and Victoria Falls domestically. Additional plans are in the pipeline to partner UK start-up Air Nana (London Gatwick) for possible flights to Europe.