Business / Companies
Air Zimbabwe pilots undergo Embraer training classes
27 Jun 2013 at 05:54hrs | Views
Air Zimbabwe has begun training six pilots to fly the recently acquired Brazilian-made Embraer aircraft.
Air Zimbabwe, which is currently restructuring, plans to add the new aircraft to its fleet through a lease-to-own arrangement with South Africa-based Solenta Aviation. Embraer is one of the world's leading aircraft manufacturers.
Sources close to the developments said the pilots would undergo training in Zimbabwe and France with the expectation to replace South African pilots currently flying the new planes, servicing the traditionally viable Harare-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls route.
The training, the source said, will involve computer-based training which will be done locally as well as the simulator and on-board training to be done in France.
Company spokesperson Shingai Taruvinga confirmed the development, but could not divulge when the training would be completed because the process is rigorous.
"We have begun the rebranding exercise. We are doing that process once the plane goes for C-check. Our Boeing 767 has already been rebranded," Taruvinga said.
She added that the airline is currently training local pilots to fly the 50-seater aircraft at a time when the airline has increased its domestic flights driven by an ongoing price-slashing promotion.
Air Zimbabwe is expected to resume flights to London as the airline takes on international airlines which have, since the introduction of multiple currencies, expressed renewed interest in Zimbabwe.
"The response to the promotion has been overwhelming. We now have two daily flights on the Harare-Bulawayo route as well as the Harare-Victoria Falls route," she said.
Air Zimbabwe, which is currently restructuring, plans to add the new aircraft to its fleet through a lease-to-own arrangement with South Africa-based Solenta Aviation. Embraer is one of the world's leading aircraft manufacturers.
Sources close to the developments said the pilots would undergo training in Zimbabwe and France with the expectation to replace South African pilots currently flying the new planes, servicing the traditionally viable Harare-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls route.
The training, the source said, will involve computer-based training which will be done locally as well as the simulator and on-board training to be done in France.
Company spokesperson Shingai Taruvinga confirmed the development, but could not divulge when the training would be completed because the process is rigorous.
"We have begun the rebranding exercise. We are doing that process once the plane goes for C-check. Our Boeing 767 has already been rebranded," Taruvinga said.
She added that the airline is currently training local pilots to fly the 50-seater aircraft at a time when the airline has increased its domestic flights driven by an ongoing price-slashing promotion.
Air Zimbabwe is expected to resume flights to London as the airline takes on international airlines which have, since the introduction of multiple currencies, expressed renewed interest in Zimbabwe.
"The response to the promotion has been overwhelming. We now have two daily flights on the Harare-Bulawayo route as well as the Harare-Victoria Falls route," she said.
Source - newsday
