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Responding to concerns raised by  delegates at the just-ended Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ) annual congress in Gweru, Eng Mzembi said players in the tourism sector and other key sectors of the economy should support the national airline as there were long-term benefits to be drawn.

“The national airline cannot make a profit. It is those areas that are serviced by the airline that make profits. If it is lucky, it may break even but rarely does it make profits.

When Air Zimbabwe takes tourists to Victoria Falls, Great Zimbabwe and other such destinations, the tourism sector and other line companies will benefit. You should therefore support the national airline as it is the service that it provides that brings benefits to the economy,” he said.
HAZ president Mr Tich Hwingwiri and African Sun Chief Executive Officer Dr Shingi Munyeza had bemoaned the lack of efficiency in the country’s airline.

They both argued that Air Zimbabwe was costing hotels in the country’s resort areas potential bookings estimated to be in the region of $6 million annually.

Dr Munyeza said shortages, patronage and ineffective bureaucratic processes had given birth to “institutionalised corruption”.

This, he said, could only “make our destination and product less competitive”.

“We don’t have a functional Air Zimbabwe to service domestic flights. We have lost millions of dollars because of cancellation of bookings due to non-availability of domestic flights. We have a number of models that we should now challenge, if we are to grow economically.

“The issue of not having a domestic functional airline is just unforgivable. Why do we still not have a fully operational Air Zimbabwe to service our domestic routes?” asked Dr Munyeza.

Mr Hwingwiri shared Eng Mzembi’s sentiments on the need by the tourism and hospitality sector to support the national airline.

He urged Government and other stakeholders in the transport industry to consolidate efforts in ensuring that the national airline is efficient as its efficiency was critical to the tourism and hospitality sectors.

“Airline services are erratic and that has affected hotels especially in resort areas. We have lost potential revenue of close to $6 million owing to cancellations of hotel bookings particularly in resort areas.

“This has mainly been a result of an inefficient airline.

“What should be done is having Government and other stakeholders in the transport and communication sector coming together to rescue the national airline,” said Mr Hwingwiri.