Harare - Johannesburg Airline grounded before maiden flight

RAINBOW Airline, which was scheduled to have its maiden flight from Harare - Johannesburg today, has indefinitely postponed its service over unclear circumstances.

The airline's administration manager Ms Melody Sanhanga said the launch would be at a later date after completing the regulatory requirements.

"Due to circumstances beyond our control Rainbow Airlines has been forced to postpone its 26th August 2015 launch to a later date which will be announced," said Ms Sanhanga in a statement.

"This has come about through some changes in legislature which has directly affected issuance of Rainbow Airlines' documents for operational purposes. Our handlers have advised us to postpone the launch whilst the application process is being concluded."

Rainbow Airlines was introduced last month with a demo flight for stakeholders as they readied themselves for commercial flights starting today.

The airline - owned by a group of indigenous Zimbabweans - is expected to offer a high standard air service, plying the Harare-Johannesburg route.

Rainbow has a single aircraft, the Boeing 737-300, which has a 128 passenger carrying capacity,

It currently leases the aircraft from Star Cargo South Africa.