Zimpapers Logo

Oliver Kazunga Business Reporter
THE readmission of Air Zimbabwe to the International Air Travel Association (IATA) is a major step towards boosting tourism and facilitating the airline to secure a strategic partner, economic commentators have said. Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development Ministry on Thursday last week announced that IATA had re-registered the airline after complying with the international aviation body’s Operational Safety Audit minimum standards.

The readmission means that the national flag carrier now meets IATA’s operational safety, efficient and quality benchmarks observed by operators worldwide.

“For airlines to be able to fly international routes, they have to be registered with IATA. The readmission of Air Zimbabwe to IATA registry is a major step forward as it will now fly international routes such as London and this will boost the tourism sector,” said an economic commentator Dr Eric Bloch.

Latest statistics from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) show that tourist arrivals by air rose 49 percent over the past two years largely driven by the recent resumption of flights into the country by foreign-based airlines.

Several airlines suspended flights into Zimbabwe between 1998 and 2008 due to economic challenges triggered by the illegal sanctions.

Dr Bloch said the readmission of Air Zimbabwe on the IATA registry would facilitate the airline to secure a strategic partnership.

The national airline is one of the State enterprises and parastatals that Government has prioritised for privatisation and commercialisation.

At the moment, the cash strapped company which is seeking a strategic partner, needs more than $300 million to turn around its operations.

“It is very significant to have IATA certification because that will facilitate Air Zimbabwe in securing a strategic partnership because the aviation body is internationally recognised and investors in the sector need to partner with entities that are certified by the body,” said Dr Bloch.

Another economic commentator Dr Davison Gomo said the readmission of Air Zimbabwe by IATA demonstrated that the airline’s board and senior management were economically minded and committed to working towards turning around the parastatal.

“The readmission of Air Zimbabwe to IATA registry is one of many things that the airline’s board and senior management was doing to restore viability of the company.

“As IATA, certification facilitates in securing a strategic partner, it is important for Government to ensure that Air Zimbabwe is kept under our wings when an investor is found,” he said.

Economic analyst Mr Peter Mhaka said IATA certification improved the credibility of Air Zimbabwe.

Air Zimbabwe was de-registered from IATA’s registry in September last year when the airline technically failed to meet the aviation’s body operational and safety standards audit after temporarily stopping operations because of an industrial strike.