News / National
Air Zimbabwe secures an Airbus plane
12 Mar 2012 at 07:13hrs | Views
AIR Zimbabwe Pvt Ltd has secured an A320 airbus for leasing as Government intensified efforts to revive the fortunes of the national airline.
Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development Minister Nicholas Goche told reporters that Air Zimbabwe took delivery of the new plane way before Government disbanded the company.
Government last week dissolved Air Zimbabwe Holdings and formed a new State-owned company, Air Zimbabwe Pvt Ltd.
An interim board to oversee the operations of the new company was immediately set up.
Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development permanent secretary Mr Patson Mbiriri chairs the interim board.
Following the changes at the national airline, National Handling Services â€" subsidiary of former Air Zimbabwe Holdings â€" will now operate as a stand-alone company.
Minister Goche said the new A320 airbus would be part of Air Zimbabwe's regional fleet.
Government, Minister Goche said, wanted to sort out all problems facing Air Zimbabwe to curb inconveniences caused to travellers.
Minister Goche said Air Zimbabwe would not introduce new routes when it resumes its flights.
He said the national airline already had profitable routes.
Minister Goche said several international airlines were keen to come to Zimbabwe, adding that Air Namibia would resume its flights to Harare next month.
Air Zimbabwe suspended its operations due to financial challenges. The national airline is riddled with a US$150 million debt.
In January, an Air Zimbabwe plane was impounded in London by an American firm over a US$1 million debt.
The plane was only released after Government intervened to offset the debt.
Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development Minister Nicholas Goche told reporters that Air Zimbabwe took delivery of the new plane way before Government disbanded the company.
Government last week dissolved Air Zimbabwe Holdings and formed a new State-owned company, Air Zimbabwe Pvt Ltd.
An interim board to oversee the operations of the new company was immediately set up.
Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development permanent secretary Mr Patson Mbiriri chairs the interim board.
Following the changes at the national airline, National Handling Services â€" subsidiary of former Air Zimbabwe Holdings â€" will now operate as a stand-alone company.
Minister Goche said the new A320 airbus would be part of Air Zimbabwe's regional fleet.
Minister Goche said Air Zimbabwe would not introduce new routes when it resumes its flights.
He said the national airline already had profitable routes.
Minister Goche said several international airlines were keen to come to Zimbabwe, adding that Air Namibia would resume its flights to Harare next month.
Air Zimbabwe suspended its operations due to financial challenges. The national airline is riddled with a US$150 million debt.
In January, an Air Zimbabwe plane was impounded in London by an American firm over a US$1 million debt.
The plane was only released after Government intervened to offset the debt.
Source - TH
