By Dorrrothy Moyo | ZimEye | Nearly five decades ago, in July 1976, Air Rhodesia was at the forefront of regional aviation with its iconic Boeing 720-025 jet. The aircraft, photographed at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport (then Jan Smuts Airport), represented a burgeoning airline that connected Southern Africa. This classic image captures the elegance of Air Rhodesia’s fleet during an era when air travel was synonymous with glamour and exclusivity.
Fast forward to today, Air Zimbabwe, the successor to Air Rhodesia, stands as a reflection of the changes and challenges the airline industry has faced in the country. The modern photograph shows an Air Zimbabwe Embraer ERJ-145 jet, a far cry from the larger fleets of the past. Over the years, the airline’s fleet has significantly diminished, and with it, the scope of its routes.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the airline proudly operated domestic routes connecting major cities such as Harare, Bulawayo, Mutare, and Chipinge, and offered long-haul flights to destinations like London. However, today, those flights to Mutare and Chipinge have ceased, leaving travelers with limited domestic options. Similarly, Air Zimbabwe’s once-prestigious direct flights to London, a key link to the diaspora and international markets, are no longer operational.
The decline in fleet size and route availability highlights the impact of economic challenges and mismanagement that the airline has faced over the years. While the Boeing 720 of yesteryears was a testament to the technological advancements and ambitions of the time, today’s Embraer jet underscores a scaled-down approach aimed at maintaining operational efficiency amidst financial struggles.
Despite these setbacks, Air Zimbabwe continues to play a symbolic role in the nation’s identity, carrying the colors of the Zimbabwean flag and serving as a reminder of the country’s aviation heritage. These two images, separated by 48 years, stand as a stark juxtaposition of what was and what remains, blending nostalgia with the hope of eventual resurgence in the nation’s aviation industry.
