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Freeman Razemba–Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE has cleared 90 percent of the US$140 million debt owed to International Air Transport Association members under a Government payment plan.
IATA said Zimbabwe has made a great deal of progress in reducing the estimated US$140 million that was largely revenue from ticket sales, cargo space and other regulated activities that had been blocked in Zimbabwe and which could not be repatriated to IATA members.
According to IATA, which represents over 300 international airlines, the country has now paid 90 percent of what was blocked in unremitted ticket sales.
IATA vice president for Africa and the Middle East, Mr Kamil Al-Awadhi, confirmed the developments yesterday in an article published by airline journal, Air Insight.
“They have done beautifully. I commend the Zimbabwe Government for doing so well. They were receptive from day one, showing us their numbers, coming up with a payment plan and paying 90 percent as soon as they had the cash,” he said.
Recently, Air Zimbabwe also secured US$1,4 million to clear debts owed to IATA, which it hoped would enhance its chances of re-joining the association to expand its international route network and tap into global partnerships. The move is also expected to smoothen the way for the country to re-activate its IATA Membership.
The national carrier is currently not a member of IATA due to a combination of factors, including unpaid fees and non-compliance with the IATA Operational Safety Audit global safety programme.
This development comes after Zimbabwe moved forward in implementing the Single African Air Transport Market that will boost intra-Africa travel and trade by signing the memorandum of understanding for the implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision.
The country became the 22nd State to sign the MoU out of the 35 which committed to implementing the deal adopted in 2015 by African Union Heads of State.
The MoU was signed on the sidelines of a historic victory for Zimbabwe at the just ended 41st ICAO General Assembly in Canada by Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona.
In an interview recently, Minister Mhona confirmed Zimbabwe was now moving forward.
“I signed the African Union Memorandum of Implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision by signatory States of the Decision on the establishment of the Single African Air Transport Market which was adopted by the AU Heads of States Summit in January 2015,” he said.
The African Union Commission was represented by Mr Eric Ntagerwa, AU Head of Division Transport and Mobility, and the Africa Civil Aviation Commission represented by Mr Jean Paul Matsoungou, project co-ordinator and air transport specialist.
“This is a major development for Zimbabwe as the SAATM is a flagship project of the African Union agenda 2063, an initiative of the African Union to create a single unified air transport market in Africa,” Minister Mhona said.
He said this is meant to advance the liberalisation of civil aviation in Africa and act as an impetus for the continent’s economic integration agenda.
“SAATM will ensure that aviation plays a major role in connecting Africa, promoting its social, economic, cultural and political integration and boosting intra-Africa trade and tourism as a result.
“SAATM will markedly reduce the need for connecting African capitals through hubs outside Africa such as Doha, Dubai, Istanbul or Paris,” Minister Mhona said.
The Minister said SAATM was created to expedite the full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision.
“The Yamoussoukro Decision establishes a framework for the liberalisation of air transport services between African countries, as well as fair competition between airlines. The decision was signed by 44 African states in 1999 and came into force in 2002.
“Basically, by Zimbabwe signing into SAATM, means the country is committed to lift market access restrictions for airlines, grant fellow SAATM member countries air traffic rights (first through fifth freedoms rights), and liberalise flight frequency and capacity limits. Both passenger and cargo services are included.
“It also seeks to harmonise safety and security regulations in aviation, based on ICAO requirements. The executing agency for SAATM is the African Civil Aviation Commission,” Minister Mhona said.
This development also came after Zimbabwe was for the first time elected into the United Nations specialised agency for civil aviation after winning a historic seat during the International Civil Aviation Organisations Council elections which were held in Montreal, Canada.
Zimbabwe was competing for the seat in ICAO after being nominated by SADC member states.
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