“Air Zimbabwe is one of the greatest drain on the fiscus. The airline needs to be sold to those who know how to run airlines profitably and open the Zimbabwean skies and make Harare an airline regional hub,” said Mangoma.
Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ) President Elton Mangoma said that Air Zimbabwe must be sold to those who know how to run airlines profitably.
This surfaced at a press briefing meant to debunk the recently signed Chinese ‘mega deals’.
Responding to the four aviation cooperation agreements signed between the Chinese Minister of Commerce, Mr Gao Hucheng and Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Joram Gumbo, former MDC-T Deputy Treasurer General, Elton Mangoma registered his agony saying Air Zimbabwe is draining a lot of money from the already penniless government, hence it has to be disposed .
“Air Zimbabwe is one of the greatest drain on the fiscus. The airline needs to be sold to those who know how to run airlines profitably and open the Zimbabwean skies and make Harare an airline regional hub,” said Mangoma.
Meanwhile, the Newsday reported that one of Air Zimbabwe’s planes caused mayhem on Sunday after raw waste was seen flowing in the isle.
“Passengers aboard Air Zimbabwe’s flight UM 467 to Johannesburg, South Africa, were shocked on Sunday morning after raw effluent from the toilets spilled into the aisle when the plane was just 30 minutes from landing,” reported Newsday.
The Alpha Media Holdings publication went on to say that, “The mishap added to the catalogue of the airline’s embarrassing blunders and “mid-air scares” on a number of occasions due to several issues, including technical faults.
As if this was not enough on 1 December, Air Zimbabwe could not take off on a flight to Victoria Falls after Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe refused to clear Flight UM322 to depart.
Minister of Tourism, Walter Mzembi was on record attacking the country’s struggling Airline, Air Zimbabwe saying it should be obliterated to pave way for new players.
Speaking during World Tourism Day commemorations in October , Minister Mzembi said new players should be allowed to navigate the skies.
Yedu iyi iri kurwara, (our Air Zimbabwe is not reliable) so what do we do, ngaibve tikande dzimwe (We should get rid of it) and give access to viable companies that are reliable and bring tourists to Zimbabwe.
Hatifanirwi kuti kana yedu iyi inorwara isati yasimuka hapana inosimuka (we should not be strict with other players because ours is not performing well).
Air Zimbabwe has been struggling and reports indicate that the airline only has three planes flying, with a $300 million debt overhang.
