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The national flag carrier, Air Zimbabwe, like the proverbial phoenix, seems to be rising from its ashes. After a plethora of problems, ranging from old equipment to a huge debt overhang, many had written off the national airline. Things got so bad at one stage that the airline was forced to suspend flights after its aircraft were attached in South Africa and the United Kingdom after failing to service debts.
Up to now, flights to London remain suspended although the airline has indicated they would resume later this year.
At another stage, the airline was flying empty planes on most routes because travellers had lost confidence in it.
To compound its woes, it was delisted from the International Air Travel Association Operational Safety Audit last year after it temporarily discontinued operations and failed to conduct safety and quality audits as scheduled.
However, over the past few months, things seem to have started looking up for the company.
First was the acquisition of new aircraft. The airline managed to seal a deal where it leased an Airbus A320 medium haul aircraft used on the potentially lucrative Harare-Johannesburg route and smaller 50-seater Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft for the domestic Harare-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls route.
The company also drastically reduced its fares, making them not only affordable but also competitive.
With its new fleet, Air Zimbabwe should now be able to compete with other airlines flying into Zimbabwe especially South African Airways, its biggest competitor on the Harare-Johannesburg route.
Many people were preferring to travel on SAA because it had newer aircraft compared to Air Zimbabwe’s, some of which were almost 30 years.
Last week, in another feather for the airline’s cap, it was re-registered with IATA, meaning that its aircraft are now able to fly anywhere in the world.
These developments are positive for the airline and need to be supported by all as Zimbabwe should have a flag carrier it is proud of.
With the country set to host the United Nations World Tourism Organisation general assembly in August, Air Zimbabwe must be ready to carry the country’s flag high by transporting the thousands of delegates expected into the country to the venue in Victoria Falls.
We believe that efforts to revive operations of Air Zimbabwe have averted a potentially embarrassing situation where delegates were going to depend on foreign airlines to fly within the country’s airspace.
Government, as the major shareholder of Air Zimbabwe, must now keep the momentum to ensure that the airline becomes viable.
The board and management needed to be aware that this new lease of life they have been given should be used to revive the airline’s operations and not to grow its debt, estimated at more than $300 million.
Government also needs to take advantage of the acquisition of a new plane to accelerate the commercialisation of the airline, either through privatisation or looking for a strategic partner so that the burden to look after operations of Air Zimbabwe is removed for the fiscus.
Online Reporter