Business / Companies
Air Zimbabwe to resume international flights
12 Aug 2014 at 08:08hrs | Views
Struggling state owned Air Zimbabwe is set to resume international flights just three years after it halted its foreign business due to financial constraints.
"We are at an advanced stage, our technical team is engaging a technical partner who is very keen to service operations with Air Zimbabwe to service the routes to China and London," said Zimbabwe Transport Minister Obert Mpofu.
"We are talking to the Chinese. In fact, Air Zimbabwe will be flying to Shanghai and Beijing very soon. We have a serious invitation, with one serious big airline operation for flights to London and China," he added.
Air Zimbabwe had in January 2012 been placed on judicial management after it ceased operation due to financial constraints. A revival attempt failed as pilots refused to resume domestic services, with unpaid salaries and allowances amounting to more than $35 million.
The government announced that Air Zimbabwe would be grounded indefinitely on 24 February 2012.
In March the same year, the government of Zimbabwe established Air Zimbabwe Private Limited as the new owner of the carrier after disbanding the airline's former parastatal owner, Air Zimbabwe Holdings. It subsequently absorbed a $150 million debt.
The airline resumed flying domestic routes on a continuous basis in early May 2012.
"We are at an advanced stage, our technical team is engaging a technical partner who is very keen to service operations with Air Zimbabwe to service the routes to China and London," said Zimbabwe Transport Minister Obert Mpofu.
"We are talking to the Chinese. In fact, Air Zimbabwe will be flying to Shanghai and Beijing very soon. We have a serious invitation, with one serious big airline operation for flights to London and China," he added.
The government announced that Air Zimbabwe would be grounded indefinitely on 24 February 2012.
In March the same year, the government of Zimbabwe established Air Zimbabwe Private Limited as the new owner of the carrier after disbanding the airline's former parastatal owner, Air Zimbabwe Holdings. It subsequently absorbed a $150 million debt.
The airline resumed flying domestic routes on a continuous basis in early May 2012.
Source - Ventures Africa
