Air Zimbabwe selling off its Aircraft

Air Zimbabwe has decided to finally get rid of four aircraft consisting of two Boeing 737-200s and two BAe 146 aircraft. The two iconic B737-200 classic aircraft on sale have registration numbers Z-WPB and Z-WPC and were first delivered brand new to the airline in June 1987 and July 1987 respectively. Both aircraft have always been with the airline since then. The BAe 146s have registration numbers 5H-SDX and ZS-SDX.

The airline described the B737s as partly parted out, in a Request for Proposal (RFP) that was issued. The aircraft have been parked at Harare International Airport for over a decade. Air Zimbabwe said the duo have no engines or APUs, have had their brakes, hydraulic parts, doors, and most windows removed, and have also been stripped of their seats however, they still have landing gears installed. The BAe 146s are described as shells as they have been parted out more than the B737s. Other things up for sale include a Boeing 707 thrust reverser test rig, BAe 146 spare parts as well as spare parts from multiple other aircraft.

Air Zimbabwe currently has one airworthy Boeing 737-200 (Z-WPA) in their fleet which the airline currently utilises on domestic flights to Bulawayo and Victoria Falls as well as regionally to Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania. Of the three B737s they owned, Z-WPA is the youngest and has a more interesting history than the other two. The aircraft was delivered brand new in December 1986 and was named Mbuya Nehanda. In 1993 the aircraft was leased to Uganda Airlines for a period of 5 years. In 2001 the aircraft was then leased to LAM Mozambique Airlines for a period of 4 years. After being returned, the aircraft has been with Air Zimbabwe since then.

Air Zimbabwe has a huge debt running into hundreds of millions and has gone through multiple failed attempts to revive the airline. The latest attempt has seen management and the government come together to acquire two used Embraer ERJ145. The 50-seat regional jets are deemed as more economical and better suited to serve domestic routes whilst also allowing the airline to launch new regional routes.