Outcry over aviation levy

The concerns by the sector comes following the move by the aviation body to introduce a levy of $5 for domestic flights and $15 for international travellers earlier this month in addition to the $10 and $25 passengers fees on domestic and international flights respectively.
Tourism and travel executive Mr Brant Williamson said it was sad that the move was taken without any consultations with operators.
“This will only work to the detriment of the sector as it is making the country an expensive destination compared to Zambia which is taking advantage of such decisions to attract more tourists and low cost airlines which are not available in the country,” said Mr Williamson.
He said the increase which came without notice had also seen some tour leaders forking out the levies from their pockets upon arrival at the airport.
“Travellers plan in advance and they do not want to be held at ransom by unexpected and out of the blue levies. As a result the burden is now on tour leaders because the levies had not been communicated to then before they departed their countries.”
Another tourism and travel Executive Mr Clement Mukwasi also lamented the move saying tourists did not want to be inconvenienced by additional costs that they have not been told of well in advance.
He said CAAZ had also introduced a Navigation Fee of $10 per flight for the two helicopter companies now operating in Victoria Falls another development which he said is set to push the product price up.
Hotel Association of Zimbabwe president in Victoria Falls Mr Derreck Kung said he only found out about the new levies well after they had been introduced and called for transparency and accountability as the public would want to see an improvement in the country’s airports.
The move by the CAAZ was taken in an effort to raise $400million to spruce up deteriorating infrastructure.