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The Boeing 777-200 N661WT: A Journey of Hope and Disappointment
Embark on a captivating journey with the Boeing 777-200 N661WT Aviationtag Edition, narrating a tale of hope and disappointment.
From Malaysia Airlines to the United States
Initially soaring the skies as 9M-MRM for Malaysia Airlines from 2001 to 2016, this aircraft faced an unforeseen detour in its destiny.
After being retired by Malaysia Airlines in 2016, the Boeing 777-200 was parked in Kuala Lumpur until 2018. The aircraft was then ferried to the United States, where it was painted in the distinctive colors of Air Zimbabwe, signifying a new chapter that was unfortunately never realized.
Air Zimbabwe N661WT Aviationtags View all
The Unfulfilled Promise with Air Zimbabwe
Air Zimbabwe, the national carrier of Zimbabwe, headquartered at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, had a storied history of its own. The airline used to operate a network within southern Africa, as well as routes to Asia and London Gatwick. However, financial difficulties led to the cessation of operations in late February 2012. The airline resumed a limited domestic and regional service intermittently over the following years.
Despite its challenges, Air Zimbabwe remained a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the African Airlines Association since 1981. By July 2014, the government of Zimbabwe had taken ownership of the airline. Unfortunately (?), by May 2017, Air Zimbabwe was banned from operating in the European Union due to not meeting safety standards. The airline's financial woes continued, with debts estimated to be around $330 million by July 2017. By June 2018, these debts prevented the airline from flying to most destinations due to threats of aircraft impoundment by creditors.
In October 2018, with mounting debt and only three operational aircraft, Air Zimbabwe was placed under administration. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 further compounded the airline's difficulties, forcing it to suspend all flights indefinitely and place employees on unpaid leave. Despite these setbacks, Air Zimbabwe resumed some domestic and regional routes by late 2020.
'By March 2023, the airline reported clearing its debt to IATA and was hopeful of resuming its London-Harare flights later that year, which did not happen. Currently the airline has six aircraft in their fleet, but only two in operation: An ERJ-145 and an 737-200.
A New Life as an Aviationtag
This particular Boeing 777-200, having faced a tumultuous journey, found a new lease on life through upcycling. Parked since 2018 in the vast expanse of the USA, we discovered this aviation gem and transformed it into an Aviationtag, giving
aviation enthusiasts a unique piece of history to cherish.
Each Aviationtag is a testament to the aircraft's storied past and the resilience of the aviation industry.
The N661WT Edition
Our Air Zimbabwe Edition features nine vibrant color variants – truly a feast for the eyes! This collection includes five single-color tags in black, red, yellow, green, and white, as well as four unique two color combinations. Each tag is a piece of history from the Boeing 777-200 N661WT, now available for enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Would you fly with Air Zimbabwe? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
