Business / Companies
Air Zimbabwe set to resume flights to London
04 Aug 2013 at 09:11hrs | Views
AIR Zimbabwe is set to resume flights to London in November this year, nearly two years after the national carrier stopped flights owing to viability problems.
The airline stopped flights to London in December 2011 after one of its planes was seized by creditors at Gatwick Airport.
The proposed resumption of the flights marks a turnaround for the airline after grounding its planes for nearly two years, due to financial constraints. Domestic and regional flights to Johannesburg were introduced in April.
On the domestic route, Air Zimbabwe flies to Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.
In the region, the airline flies daily to Johannesburg and twice a week on the Johannesburg-Victoria Falls route.
The resumption of flights comes at a time the country has been making preparations ahead of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly set for Victoria Falls and Livingstone.
Zimbabwe and Zambia are co-hosting the 20th session of the UNWTO from August 24 to 29.
To regain passengers, the airline has rolled out a massive campaign, resulting in reduced fares on its routes.
"Air Zimbabwe is currently facing an increase in the use of services following the launch of the Cruising Altitude promotion," spokesperson Shingai Taruvinga told Standardbusiness last week.
"The upsurge growth of air traffic in and out of the country should make us play a leading role in the provision of air travel services once again."
The airline stopped flights to London in December 2011 after one of its planes was seized by creditors at Gatwick Airport.
The proposed resumption of the flights marks a turnaround for the airline after grounding its planes for nearly two years, due to financial constraints. Domestic and regional flights to Johannesburg were introduced in April.
On the domestic route, Air Zimbabwe flies to Bulawayo and Victoria Falls.
In the region, the airline flies daily to Johannesburg and twice a week on the Johannesburg-Victoria Falls route.
Zimbabwe and Zambia are co-hosting the 20th session of the UNWTO from August 24 to 29.
To regain passengers, the airline has rolled out a massive campaign, resulting in reduced fares on its routes.
"Air Zimbabwe is currently facing an increase in the use of services following the launch of the Cruising Altitude promotion," spokesperson Shingai Taruvinga told Standardbusiness last week.
"The upsurge growth of air traffic in and out of the country should make us play a leading role in the provision of air travel services once again."
Source - Thestandard
