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I was blessed enough to fly Air Zimbabwe both to and from South Africa last week. Like many others, I was not quite sure what to expect. However, I was not willing to fly any other airline at a time when my national airline was back in the skies. So it was with a great sense of anticipation that I checked in and lo and behold, I was excited when I saw the large number of people who were boarding our very own national airliner.
The last time I had flown Air Zimbabwe was about a year ago and back then there were just a handful of us on board. It was heartbreaking to see the flight take off for Johannesburg with only a quarter of its seats taken up. It was the same story when we travelled back.
But despite this, I remember our very own glamorous looking Captain Chipo Matimba flying us and landing us back on our soil smoothly on the return leg.
Many of us just had to pass by the cockpit upon disembarking to give her a hug or exchange pleasantries with her. But this time around, the plane was filled to the brim and I, like other Zimbabweans, was just excited.
As with everyone else on the plane, from the time we boarded, talk was on how good it was to be flying our own airline as Zimbabweans. I am one of those people who has flown many airlines and I can say a thing or two about how good and how bad some of them are.
But I say without bias, the good times are back in Zimbabwe as evidenced by our own Air Zimbabwe being back in the skies.
We cannot rule out the obvious fact that the promotion that Air Zimbabwe is currently running has been good in bringing about business.
With other airlines charging between US$500 and US$800 for an economy ticket (return) to Johannesburg, a US$275 ticket (return) on Air Zimbabwe is heaven sent. And it is that strategy that I want to touch on a little bit.
So many businesses have done this when things are not going well. They slash fares and prices to increase volumes. And because people always want a good bargain, when a good promotion comes, they rush for it.
Just look at how busy a certain pizza joint is every Tuesday. One actually has to join a queue.
While businesses slash prices or figures to an extent that people may wonder how then they will make money, the Maths is always in the numbers.
I am so glad that Air Zim realised this and came up with this promotion they are running, which has seen even fares for local flights such as Bulawayo and Victoria Falls coming down to such levels that driving such a distance just no longer makes sense when one factors in the fuel, the hours and the hassle that road trips bring.
Air Zimbabwe seems to have woken up if the promotion is anything to go by. The fact that they keep extending the promotion’s lifespan is also a good move on their part.
By the time they raise their fares, which must be done at some point, they will have had a chance to gain some market share and show their market that they are back and they mean business, and as such; travellers do not have to switch to another airline.
What I observed from this whole episode is the importance of having a sense of national pride. In the excitement of being aboard Air Zimbabwe, people came together. For once flying was intimate.
Those of us who fly regularly do know that it is not unusual to travel all the way with a stranger and not speak to each other at all. However, with this experience, people were speaking. For me, the message and sentiment was that Zimbabweans just love all that is theirs and want to be able to support it.
I heard people exclaim with pleasure at the dinner and drinks served aboard AirZim. Indeed the good times are coming. The dinner was piping hot and there were two choices; beef or chicken.
Even those who wanted their brandy and whisky were able to get a tot or two. The flight attendants were pleasant and ever-smiling. However, their uniform may need to be revisited. We all know how attendants from other airlines, whose names I will not mention, look as they pass by.
They look good enough to eat and when you see them, no matter your sex, you just want to fly with them. You find yourself even ordering things during the flight because they just look so good.
And there is need for our own magazine to be on the flights like what is best practice everywhere else.
Goodness knows there are many of us writers to contribute pieces on Zimbabwe and what it has to offer for the traveller to peruse as they come into or leave our beautiful Zimbabwe.
I just felt proud when AirZim touched down. Such a smooth landing. No one beats us when it comes to our flying record and that pilot (unfortunately I missed him, deserved a hug) was just excellent in his take-off and landing.
No bumps, jumps or jerks; just the Zimbabwe bird touching down, much to the excitement of all on board.
Let us all take a leaf from this, that we can re-invent ourselves and do so much better. Zimbabwe is ready to support its own as long as businesses realise that they need people more than people need them and are fair and reasonable.
And let us have even our new Government when in place; use Air Zimbabwe always unless it is not on the route one is going. Why not? Let’s build this country together. Together, we can make a difference.
Online Reporter