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Zvamaida Murwira and Nesia Mhaka
Air Zimbabwe (Airzim)’s revival efforts have received a boost after Government indicated that two of the four Boeing 777-200 ER planes bought from Malaysia will be in the country by month-end.
This comes as Government is finalising assumption of the national airline’s US$380 million debt which has seen Airzim struggling to lure investment partners.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza said the two passenger planes would arrive in the country soon after Government fully paid the outstanding amounts.
He said the delivery of the planes dovetailed with Government’s plan to revive the national airline.
“Two of the planes have already been fully paid for and we are expecting them in the country this month,” he said.
Minister Matiza said they were working on the routes the planes would be plying and announcements would be made once that has been finalised.
Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube told the National Assembly on Tuesday that the country would soon take delivery of two planes from Malaysia.
“I must say that we have been sufficiently briefed by the Ministry of Transport that at least one aircraft will arrive before Christmas and maybe, by year end 2019, both planes from Malaysia will arrive,” he said.
“We have paid for the aircraft. So, we are making progress in our quest to rebuild a credible Air Zimbabwe.
“On Air Zimbabwe recapitalisation, Treasury takes note of the need to come up with an innovative mechanism for us to do a debt assumption of US$381 million for Air Zimbabwe in turning around the airline.”
The delivery of the two B777s follows the delivery of an Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft about two months ago.
Airzim has largely been operating two serviceable aircraft, but only one has been flying of late. The national airline expects to have one of its Boeing 737-200s back in the skies soon to supplement the 767-200ER now servicing domestic and regional routes.
It services the Harare-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls route daily in the morning and then flies to Johannesburg four times a week and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, twice a week.
The other planes have been grounded due to old age and the shortage of spares and foreign currency.
Another Airzim plane has been parked at O.R Tambo International Airport in South Africa for some time and efforts are underway to bring it back home.
Aviation experts have called for Airzim to improve air connectivity to complement Zimbabwe’s drive in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) as well as enhancing tourist arrivals.
Other regional airlines have taken advantage of improved tourist arrivals, particularly in Victoria Falls following the expansion of Victoria Falls International Airport, to increase their frequency.
Victoria Falls is one of the local destinations that are widely publicised by foreign travel agents.
Online Reporter