CAAZ licenses third private airline

at a time when demand for faster and efficient transport systems has been growing.
Zimbabwe has two other registered private airlines, namely Solenta Aviation, which operates scheduled and non-scheduled services linking Harare, Kariba and Victoria Falls and a cargo carrier, Avient Aviation.
Sol Air managing director Mr Nkosilathi Sibanda said the company would start with domestic routes using a 19-seater aircraft.

“We are grateful since we have been waiting for this opportunity for quite sometime. If all goes well, within the next three to four weeks we will start domestic operations.
“We will be acquiring bigger aircraft in due course. We are currently in talks with two companies in Dubai and South Africa to lease us three 70-seater aircraft and the talks will be concluded within a month,” he said.

Mr Sibanda produced the operating certificate and other documents signed by the Ministry of Transport, Communication and Infrastractural Development and CAAZ to confirm the latest development.
He said the airline had secured the support of an international financier who would soon avail US$3,5 million.
“The money is coming soon. The international lenders are willing to do business with Zimbabwe since exchange risk has been eliminated by the adoption of multiple currencies in the country,” he said.

Sol Air has been designated the Bulawayo-Francistown-Gaborone, Harare-Bulawayo, Bulawayo-Victoria Falls and the Harare-Masvingo-Buffalo Range routes.
Mr Sibanda said Sol Air would also thrive to service other international routes such as the Harare-Nairobi, Bulawayo-Johannesburg, Victoria Falls and other lucrative routes.

Over the years private airlines have been shut out of dominant routes like Harare-Victoria Falls and South Africa to protect Air Zimbabwe.
While Government has continued to keep home-grown airlines out of the lucrative Harare-Johannesburg route, South African Airways have enjoyed rich pickings, riding on a bilateral agreement allowing them to fly 56 flights per week.

Mr Sibanda said Sol Air has already been granted an International Air Transport Association (IATA) code YZ.
“This code allows passengers to access our tickets anywhere in the world through various IATA agencies,” he said adding that the company had a commercial interlining agreement with Air Zimbabwe to carry each other’s passengers.

He said the move would also increase tourism in the country.
“To me this will also boost tourism which is currently suffering.
“This will provide connectivity in Zimbabwe and eventually in the region,” he said.

Over the years a number of private airlines have attempted and failed to start and maintain operations.
These include Zambezi Express Airlines, Mannock Holdings, Mekias Aviation, Alliance Air and recently Fly Kumba, Nu-Aero and Vic Falls Airways. – New Ziana.