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Victoria Ruzvidzo in Kigali, Rwanda
Air Zimbabwe will join the league of viable airlines in Africa over the next year as Government steps up efforts to have the airline firmly in the skies.
Responding to questions regarding its dormancy over the past few years at the ongoing Rwanda-Zimbabwe Trade and Investment Conference here yesterday, Minister of Environment, Climate Change and Tourism and Hospitality Mangaliso Ndlovu said in less that two years the airline would have reclaimed most of its routes.
“Air Zimbabwe is emerging from a very turbulent past but in the next 12 to 24 months we would have reopened quite a number of routes.
“ It is not about management but it has been an issue of capitalisation. It bore the brunt of sanctions which we have had to find ways around and in the not too distant future we will have penetrated Africa,” he said.
A business executive from Zimbabwe based in South Africa, Basildon Peta, had asked why the airline was not featuring in the Zimbabwe-Rwanda business discussions.
“It’s only about RwandAir, where is Air Zimbabwe in this,” he quipped.
Air Zimbabwe has resumed flights to Johannesburg and is also servicing the domestic market.
“This is the appropriate time for the audience here to look forward to Airzim flights into this country,” reassured Minister Ndlovu.
AirZimbabwe has been in the media for the wrong reasons for much of the past few years. However, it has emerged from judicial management and is set for expansion.
Government has poured in millions to resuscitate it.
Plans have also been put in place to gradually deal with its debt situation.
Recently, the airline acquired an Emb-145 R to boost its fleet as it moves towards resuming its role as the country’s major carrier.
The airline is expected to play a key role in boosting the tourism sector and the rest of the economy as trade and investment grow.
Online Reporter