Harare based Zimbabwean national carrier, Zimbabwe Airways (formerly Air Zimbabwe) is set to add its maiden Boeing 777 aircraft, according to ch-aviation. The aircraft which is ex-Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777-200ER with registration number 9M-MRP (msn 28421) has conducted air tests at Kuala Lumpur Int'l on June 24 and is ready to join Zimbabwe Airways fleet.

According to earlier report in the year, the Boeing 777 is one of four B777s that would be used to resume long-haul flights to Europe and the Far East.

In April this year, the Zimbabwean government said it was going to re-brand and overhaul the struggling and debt-ridden flag carrier in a bid to resuscitate it.

Earlier in June, the United States embassy in Zimbabwe ordered its citizens and staff to stop flying Air Zimbabwe aircraft due to safety concerns after the airline failed to meet critical European Union and international aviation safety standards.

The ban came two weeks after the European Union last month banned five African airlines including Air Zimbabwe, due to safety concerns.

It is not yet clear weather the European Union ban and the US Embassy embargo will both be lifted with the acquisition of the airline's new aircraft.

Due to lack of efficient long-haul aircraft, Air Zimbabwe had resorted to only domestic services using Chinese made MA-60, one ageing 767-200 and a refurbished Airbus A320.

Photo Credit: Keat Siong