Zimpapers Logo

Prosper Ndlovu Business Editor—
AIR Zimbabwe is battling to contain flight delays with travellers increasingly being subjected to major inconveniences emanating from technical faults in the company’s fleet. The undercapitalised national airline continues to operate under constrained conditions despite the lucrative market, which has seen regional players feast on business from its traditional regional and international routes.

Disconsolate travellers said yesterday’s morning flight from Harare to Bulawayo was delayed by more than two hours in what they said was one of the now routine experiences at Air Zimbabwe.

One traveller said passengers were stranded at the Harare International Airport after the 7AM flight delayed and eventually took off at 9.30AM.
The delay also meant travellers at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo had to wait longer before boarding the return flight.

Recently, Air Zimbabwe’s Flight UM331 was twice forced to turn back about half way into the same route after developing engine faults, inducing a scare on travellers.

The national airline plies the Harare-Bulawayo-Johannesburg route in addition to local routes, Harare-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls and recently the Harare-Kariba-Victoria Falls, which was suspended in 2007.

Early last month, travellers from Bulawayo with connecting flights in South Africa had to cancel the trip after Air Zimbabwe failed to take off and had to reschedule two days later.

Several such reports continue to rile domestic travellers who view the inconveniences as a sign of poor management.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu yesterday acknowledged the challenges facing Air Zimbabwe and begged for patience from travellers.

“We’re aware of these challenges as a government and in fact we’re being informed of what is happening on an hourly basis. We sympathise with our travellers and appeal for their patience,” said Dr Mpofu.

The minister said the problems facing Air Zimbabwe were a result of undercapitalisation, which he said the government was attending to.
“Air Zimbabwe is not capitalised and we’re doing our best to keep it flying. More than 80 percent of our operations are normal and the problems we’re facing are not unusual for an airline,” Dr Mpofu said.

He said the government, through his ministry, was engaged in “serious” engagements with potential investors (unnamed) to breathe life into the national airline.
“It’s a pity that some people can’t allow us to resuscitate the airline and think things can be solved by complaining. We need to understand that Air Zimbabwe was grounded but at least now it’s operational and we’re talking about delays and not trip cancellations,” said Dr Mpofu.

He said a raft of measures to revive Air Zimbabwe were being crafted and called for calm while the government was engaging investors.
“We can’t be complaining and getting angry when we’re in discussions with investors. A lot of measures are underway to resuscitate the airline but I can’t discuss that now.

“But we want to assure our people of improved quality service soon,” Dr Mpofu said.
The minister could not rule out the possibility of re-leasing more economic planes such as the 50-seater Embracer ERJ 145 RL that withdrew its services early this year when government cited “unsustainable” costs of running it.

“We’ll look at all options to resuscitate Air Zimbabwe. That is why we are licensing more players to reduce the burden on the national airline. We just need to be patient,” said Dr Mpofu.

Presently, Air Zimbabwe operates the Boeing 737 and 767, which have a huge passenger carrying capacity and are more suited for long-haul flights.
A viable air transport system is a strategic engine in economic development and is viewed as a pull factor for investors and tourists.

At its peak, Air Zimbabwe used to employ more than 1,000 workers manning its huge route network servicing destinations such as Nairobi in Kenya, Tanzania, Singapore, Beijing in China and London in the United Kingdom.

The airline has been embroiled in a multi-million dollar insurance scam involving top management who were arrested early this year for allegedly defrauding the ailing company.

Dr Mpofu responded by wielding the axe on the airline’s board following the exposures and appointed an interim board chaired by a principal director in his ministry Valentine Sinamane.