In February 2025, Air Zimbabwe, a national airline in southern Africa, was assigned an extraordinary mission. It used a Boeing 767-200ER to deport nearly 200 wounded soldiers from eastern Congo.
Soldiers previously evacuated the city of Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and were later ruled by the M23 rebels. In an astonishing move, the aircraft were not fed directly by Air Zimbabwe itself, but rather stood out in these important aviation sectors under the direction of South African Charter Airlines, a charter company in South Africa, with specialized ACMI (aircraft, crew, insurance, insurance) equipment and charter flights.
Evacuation flight: south from Sesame
The Boeing 767, registered Z-WPF, was the main aircraft carrying out these evacuation flights. According to Air Traffic Control (ADS-B), the flight took place between February 25th and 26th, 2025. Continuing military conflicts and airspace closures over Goma meant that soldiers had to first fly to the capital of Rwanda, the nearby Kigali city. There, wounded soldiers from various countries, including South Africa, Tanzania and Malawi, adopted flights that brought them back to their home countries.
The sector operated by African charter airlines included flights from Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, to Kigali, to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, and Lilongwe in Malawi, and eventually back to South Africa via Watercruff. This mission, which reached just as south as Africa, was not only a medical but also a diplomatic side, highlighting the humanitarian responsibility of participating countries.
Goma Challenge: Crisis Mode Area
Located east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Goma City is a strategic point near the border between Rwanda and Uganda. For months, the region has been grasping armed conflict led by the M23 rebel group. The group, which claims to be fighting the Congolese government, seized control of most of Eastern Congo, including Goma. This security situation leaves city airspace inaccessible to commercial flights, making it difficult for injured soldiers to evacuate. According to the DRC Civil Aviation Administration, Goma will remain closed until at least May 11, 2025.
However, the repatriation flights run by Air Zimbabwe took place in extremely difficult circumstances. Goma is only restricted access to air transport as a central hub for international aid and local flights. Therefore, humanitarian assistance and evacuation of civil and military personnel in the region can only be achieved through considerable logistical efforts. Airlines like Air Zimbabwe and its partner airlines play an integral role in this.
Previous missions and strategic importance
This was not the first development in this region of Air Zimbabwe. In 2024, the Boeing 767 transported troops from the South African Defence Force (SANDF) to the DRC on behalf of the South African Defence Force (SANDF), and operated several flights to the DRC, which was stationed as part of the UN peacekeeping operation. The airline provided logistics for the transport of soldiers and equipment to support the SANDF mission.
During this time, Air Zimbabwe's Boeing 767 traveled between Harare and Woodington in South Africa, and on several occasions, Goma supplied primarily with military forces and equipment. These revolving flights highlight the growing importance of Air Zimbabwe and its fleet in international military logistics and crisis situations.
The company's civil aviation continues to face challenges, particularly with limited route networks and limited aircraft numbers, but this deployment illustrates the potential of Air Zimbabwe in the field of international aid and military logistics.
The role of Africa Charter Airlines
South African Charter Company Africa Charter Airlines played a key role in this humanitarian mission. The airline is known for its expertise in operating ACMI and charter flights and was responsible for carrying out complex evacuation flights. The cooperation between African charter airlines and air Zimbabwe is another example of the wet lease practice in which aircraft and crews are leased to other companies to provide specific services.
It is noteworthy that Air Zimbabwe's Boeing 767-200ER was chartered by Mongolian airline Eznis Airways from September 1, 2024 to January 1, 2025. Additionally, the aircraft is being used by Aeroon of Marian Airline Mongabaon in 2024. The company's flexibility and adaptability in a ever-changing global market.
