Govt plots shutting down Air Zimbabwe

Government has begun secretly winding down struggling flag carrier Air Zimbabwe's operations through the back door as a new company with an opaque shareholding structure takes to the sky.

Sources say AirZim has in recent months been retrenching its staff while its flights have also been reduced.

This comes at a time a project to establish a new airline Zimbabwe Airways, whose relationship with flag carrier AirZim is unclear, is moving towards finality amid revelations Transport minister Joram Gumbo and AirZim chief operating officer Simba Chikore might be caught in a massive conflict of interest storm.