Nine airlines propose to fly into Zimbabwe
http://www.theindependent.co.zw/

Thursday, 10 February 2011 16:38

Paul Nyakazeya

NINE Airlines have proposed to fly into Zimbabwe this year in a development
that could see increased traffic and revenue for the tourism sector if
government approves the proposals, businessdigest has established.
The airlines are — Air France, Austrian Airlines, Egypt Air, Swiss Air,
Bulgarian Airlines, Qantas, Emirates Airways, KLM and Lufthansa.

However, some aviation experts were sceptical that the Zimbabwean government
would grant the airlines licences to fly into the country as it would offer
stiff competition to Air Zimbabwe, which they want to protect.

The national airline has been operating at a loss accumulating huge debts
since 2000.

Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe public relations and communications
manager Annajlia Hungwe on Wednesday told businessdigest that all the
airlines had been plying the Zimbabwe route before and none was chased away.
The bilateral air services agreement was never cancelled, she said.

“They are free to come back and we will very much welcome them,” she said.
“It takes less than a week (to approve the airlines applications) where
Bilateral Air Service Agreements (Basa) are in place.”

She added: “No airline that fulfills the requirements of the bilateral air
service agreement has been denied permission to fly into Zimbabwe. Basa are
agreements entered into between two states outlining provisions for the
establishment of air services between them. It is a requirement under the
Chicago Convention.”

In 2008, government refused three airlines permission to fly into Zimbabwe
in what aviation experts said was a move to protect the national airline
from competition and loss of revenue.

The three airlines were — Nationwide from South Africa, Malaysian, and
Emirates from the United Arab Emirates.

Addressing journalists at the time, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority Karikoga
Kaseke said: “Reasons such as ‘we are protecting our airlines’ were cited.

What are we protecting it (Air Zimbabwe) from? They should learn to compete
with other airlines. That is the only way they can remain competitive”.
Kaseke said it was not wise to treat the national airline as if it started
operating last year when it has been in existence for a long period.

“Tourism ambassadors go out to market Zimbabwe. For example, in China they
cannot come by rail or road. The presence of many airlines in the country
also increases the amount of traffic, revenue and flexibility as to when one
wants to fly to Zimbabwe,” said Kaseke.

Air Zimbabwe has pulled out of 18 routes from 25 and scaled down on the
number of flights per week to rationalise operations and contain costs.
While the airline has withdrawn from these routes citing “viability”
challenges, its competition has stepped in to fill the void.

Kenya Airways now flies to Harare 12 times a week between Harare and Nairobi
while Ethiopian Airlines now flies into Harare daily.

South African Airways ply the Harare Johannesburg route daily.

South African Airways (SAA) and British Airways (Comair) are now plying
Johannesburg- Victoria Falls flights daily.

Apart from Air Zimbabwe, SAA, Air Namibia and British Airways Comair service
are landing at Victoria Falls Airport daily.

Air Zimbabwe currently has four planes flying one — Modern Ark (MA) 60s,
two Boeing 737 and a long haul 767.

A total of 18 international airlines have left the country since the
economic crisis when negative publicity about Zimbabwe started 10 years
ago.

These include Lufthansa, Qantas, Austrian Airlines, Swissair, Air India, Air
France and TAP Air Portugal.

African airlines that no longer fly into Harare include Egyptair, Air
Mauritius, Linhas Aereas de Mocambique, Air Namibia, Royal Swazi Airlines
and Air Seychelles. Air Tanzania, Ghana Airways, Air Uganda and Air Cameroon
have also pulled out of the route.

In 2010, the government also set aside part of US$100 million of its IMF
Special Drawing Rights SDRs towards the refurbishment of the country’s
infrastructure and the resuscitation of key economic enablers including
US$18,1 million for refurbishment of Harare International Airport and Joshua
Mqabuko Nkomo Airport.

This may sound weird, but the best meal I ever had served on an airline was on Air Zim between Joburg and Harare. The trip was over so quickly I barely had time to finish it, but damn if that food wasn't delicious!

i didn't realize you could make road kill palatable.

Air Zim does have a good rep for its food. Its not a bad airline if you fly on the B767s which are reasonably comfy. The old 737s however are a killer with the smallest seats I have ever been on in an aircraft

I will be flying Air Zim on the 3oth June from London Gatwick to Harare. I have done it before and i found the seats to be very comfy and the food is good.

Mike

If Air Zim lets me look at their Aircraft Data Books (ADBs) and their crew training logs, I might consider it...

I had the pleasure of flying Air Zim in a turboprop. Several oil leaks on the gear, at least 4 guys in the front office, screaming kids running around, but ya know what: the food was good.

Nil problems with us too. Didn't understand the chinese lettering but had two good flights with them and half the price of SAA.

Zim Frosty,
aren't most airlines seats build for normal people not big ol butt'ed guys like you!!!!!!!!

It aint my Butt...its getting the seat belt around my girth