Editorial Comment:Air Zimbabwe fare promotion spot on

opportunity to fly.

Previous fares were a deterrent for many Zimbabweans who earn modest incomes. Only business people and other well-to-do travellers have been able to fly as an option while the less fortunate have had no option but to use road transport.

The new fares have made the national carrier more competitive and will certainly give the airline’s competitors a run for their money. This is exactly what the doctor ordered and should bring rapid transformation to the airline’s misfortunes.

This “thinking outside-the-box” approach will certainly turn the tide for Airzim, saddled with a huge debt and other attendant challenges that saw it grounded for a year.

Indications already are that the promotion has been well received by travellers.
The strategy should help bring in the much-needed cash injection for the airline while luring travellers that had abandoned it during its darkest period last year.

Furthermore, the pricing breath of fresh-air is the best possible strategy that the airline could have employed at this juncture to regain market share and confidence.

After enduring sub-economic numbers on its flights over the past few months, it will not be a surprise if the airline begins to fly the Harare-Johannesburg route and to domestic destinations with plane-loads of passengers.

We expect to hear competitors crying foul but this is the name of the game. It is about survival of the fittest and for too long AirZim was the ailing child in the skies. Now is its time to kick others out of the way.

We commend the board and management for coming up with these specials. Such efforts will soon see the airline back on its other routes that include London and Beijing.

For the general public, this is an opportunity to fly with family for weekends to such places as Victoria Falls or Johannesburg itself. Everyone would want to experience the joys and convenience of flying and the current fares allow that.

For instance, it has become more economic to fly to Bulawayo on a US$105 return ticket than to drive. Business executives or those on a social visit can embark on a day’s flight to and from Bulawayo more conveniently than before.

Tourist resorts like the Victoria Falls have been brought closer to the people with a US$180 fare, down from US$421 previously.

Those who could not afford such holidays may now have the opportunity to do so. 
Even schools can afford to fly their sports teams or go on study tours to either Victoria Falls or Bulawayo by plane instead of forcing pupils to endure gruelling journeys by road.

Air travel is safer and more convenient on any day.
Domestic tourism had taken a knock due to dwindling disposable incomes but such initiatives as this special package will certainly promote travel to local tourist resorts.

We hope Airzim can introduce similar initiatives during school and public holidays.
To some Zimbabweans, the Victoria Falls have remained a far-fetched dream  but the opportunity is here for many to experience its beauty and God’s acumen as the creator.

Overall, this whole deal is indicative of the seriousness with which Airzim is considering a sustained come-back.

It shows that someone is not sleeping at the airline but is seized with coming up with ideas and strategies to turn things around at the airline.

This spirit should be fostered as we head towards the UNWTO General Assembly in August.
Furthermore, the airline had become synonymous with mediocrity hence it was about time something positive came out of it.

As we have said before, the airline needs everyone’s support. It is, therefore, only logical that the travelling public, Government and the private sector support such initiatives.

Of course we have been assured that the low fares will not compromise standards on flights because the airline is taking advantage of its recently acquired smaller and more efficient planes.

The mid-range Airbus 320 that has replaced the long-range Boeing 767 has meant lower running costs.

The 50-seater Embraer jet to service the domestic routes is also less expensive to run.
The benefits of these planes will soon show in the airline’s books.