Zim govt agrees to Air Zim partnerships

The Zimbabwe government has agreed to open up invitations to foreign airlines which can form a strategic partnership with Air Zimbabwe as it seeks to ensure that the operations of the national airline remain viable.

The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting to allow the national airline to operate competitively with international airlines that fly into the region.

Some international airlines are expected to re-launch their routes to Zimbabwe next year.

Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Minister Tapiwa Mashakada said the strategic partner will bring in equipment and recapitalise the airline while government will be paying the airlines debt that has sky rocketed to nearly $140 million.

We need partner who will be able to come and operate because if the debt keeps on growing it will be difficult to find a strategic partner, he said.

Mr Mashakada said government is not particular which airlines would want to come on board and form the strategic partnership as it seeks to ensure that the airline immediately begins to operate smoothly without inconveniencing passengers.

Air Zimbabwe has been on and off the skies this year owing to various challenges that include non payment of employees, a development which led to a strike by the airlines 49 pilots.

This has opened up opportunities for other airlines that fly into the country to increase their frequencies, with South African Airways operating as many as four flights a day between Johannesburg and Harare.

British Airways-Comair now flies twice daily between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls.