Air Zimbabwe resumes London flights

THE first international flight marking an end to Air Zimbabwe pilots' month-long strike left for London, Gatwick Thursday morning, after government brokered a deal to end the impasse between the employer and employees.
 
The first flight left for London at 0840 this Thursday morning.
 
The arrival of the pilots for duty brought smiles on people faces even to the supporting staff who were excited to see their colleagues at the Harare International Airport.
 
However, the Harare-Johannesburg route is still being plied by Zambezi Airlines following a lease agreement signed between the two airlines.

Speaking to the Zimbabwe Guardian, the pilots Captain Eben Murapa and Captain Alex Makanda said they are back at work whilst some of their demands are being met and hope that the solution will be a long term.
 
Air Zimbabwe Acting Chief Executive Officer, Innocent Mavhunga confirmed that the impasse was brokered by the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development.
 
Meanwhile, the 409 Air Zimbabwe workers that were earmarked for retrenchment say they are currently working on their paper work to present their case to their employer for them to get their 2010 salaries.
 
The departure of Air Zimbabwe's Boeing 767 to London has given the national airlines breathing space and marked the end to the month-long industrial action by pilots.
 
However, it is too early for one to assume that the challenges that were bedeviling the national carrier are over as some of the demands that were made by pilots are yet to be met.
 
Observers say there is need for a long term strategy that will see the replacement of the aging planes, image building and a permanent solution to the labour disputes.