Z3 · SMJ · Active
Avient Aviation
Zimbabwe · AVAVIA

12
Routes
6
Hubs
SMJ
ICAO
Z3
IATA
TravelerPulse profile
Zimbabwe-based cargo and charter specialist airline.
Headquarters
Harare, Zimbabwe
Avient Aviation is a Zimbabwe-registered airline that has historically specialized in cargo and charter operations across Africa and beyond. The carrier has operated freight services connecting sub-Saharan African destinations with international points, serving clients in industries requiring dedicated air cargo capacity.
The airline has operated under the IATA code Z3 and ICAO designator SMJ, with the radio callsign AVAVIA. Avient has at times faced operational and regulatory challenges common to smaller African carriers, including fleet management difficulties and shifting market conditions.
Avient Aviation has maintained a relatively low public profile compared to larger African carriers, focusing primarily on contract freight and ad hoc charter work rather than scheduled passenger services.
Hubs & network
Avient Aviation is primarily based at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Fleet
Avient has historically operated freighter aircraft including variants of the Boeing 707 and other cargo-configured jets suited to African routes.
Notable facts
- ›Specializes in cargo and charter operations rather than scheduled passenger services.
- ›Operates under ICAO code SMJ and radio callsign AVAVIA.
- ›Has served freight routes across sub-Saharan Africa and international destinations.
- ›Registered and headquartered in Zimbabwe.
- ›Has faced operational scrutiny and regulatory challenges at various points in its history.
This profile is provided for general information only. Contact details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airline's official website before acting on them.
Primary hubs
Route network map (12 legs)












Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO
Route network
CGA → KLWDHP
CGA → KTNDHP
HYL → KTBDHP
HYL → KTNDHP
KLW → CGADHP
KTB → HYLDHP
KTN → CGADHP
KTN → HYLDHP
KTN → KWFDHP
KTN → MTMDHP
KWF → KTNDHP
MTM → KTNDHP
Fleet (aircraft types operated)
Encyclopaedia
Avient Aviation was an international cargo airline with its head office in Harare, Zimbabwe and its commercial center in the United Kingdom. The company was established in 1993 and offered scheduled and chartered flights to Africa, South America, Middle East and Far East and the Caspian region. Avient Limited was placed into administration on 5 April 2013, with flight operations taken over by AV Cargo Airlines Limited.
Read full article on WikipediaLatest news
The Aviation Herald· 2/29/2020
Crash: Avient Aviation MD11 at Shanghai on Nov 28th 2009, overran runway on takeoff
Read at The Aviation Herald
ch-aviation· 1/15/2024
AV Cargo Airlines rises from the ashes of Zimbabwe’s Avient
Read at ch-aviation
theloadstar.com· 7/24/2014
AV Cargo airlines sets up new venture
Read at theloadstar.com
Aerospace Global News· 12/7/2025
10 hull losses in 35 years: The questionable safety record of the McDonnell Douglas MD-11
Read at Aerospace Global News
ch-aviation· 1/15/2024
Avient Aviation continues to operate MD-11(F) freighters with AV Cargo
Read at ch-aviation
FlightGlobal· 11/28/2009
Avient MD-11F crashes at Shanghai days after delivery
Read at FlightGlobal
