News / National
Air Zim operations are steadily improving
15 Feb 2013 at 12:55hrs | Views
Air Zimbabwe says though government is yet to avail funds to service its debt the national airline is not in a dire situation as operations are steadily improving.
Recent media reports which came after the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development revealed that Air Zimbabwe's debt has ballooned to $188 million.
This had began dampening hopes of securing strategic partners to help in the resumption of full operations but it has however emerged that the situation is not as dire as is portrayed with new deals in the offing to move the national flag carrier to normalcy.
The interim Board Chairman at the national airliner, Munesu Munodawafa who is also the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development confirmed that the airliner immediately requires $30 million to service its foreign debt and about $15 million to improve operations locally while the remainder can be paid over time.
"Though government is yet to avail the $140 million debt to clear the bill the situation obtaining at the airliner is slightly improved as the local routes which were opened and the Joburg flights are fully operational.
"What we need is not the entire $188 million once, but we require $30 million first for the international debt and at least $15 million to improve operations," he said.
He further indicated that there were some lucrative deals in the offing which will likely see the resumption of other routes which are no-longer being serviced owing to constraints.
The airline is relying on a Boeing 737 and MA60 airplanes to service its regional and domestic routes while 5 other planes are in need of servicing.
Recent media reports which came after the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development revealed that Air Zimbabwe's debt has ballooned to $188 million.
This had began dampening hopes of securing strategic partners to help in the resumption of full operations but it has however emerged that the situation is not as dire as is portrayed with new deals in the offing to move the national flag carrier to normalcy.
The interim Board Chairman at the national airliner, Munesu Munodawafa who is also the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development confirmed that the airliner immediately requires $30 million to service its foreign debt and about $15 million to improve operations locally while the remainder can be paid over time.
"Though government is yet to avail the $140 million debt to clear the bill the situation obtaining at the airliner is slightly improved as the local routes which were opened and the Joburg flights are fully operational.
"What we need is not the entire $188 million once, but we require $30 million first for the international debt and at least $15 million to improve operations," he said.
He further indicated that there were some lucrative deals in the offing which will likely see the resumption of other routes which are no-longer being serviced owing to constraints.
The airline is relying on a Boeing 737 and MA60 airplanes to service its regional and domestic routes while 5 other planes are in need of servicing.
Source - zbc
