The Sunday News
Roberta Katunga in Victoria Falls
AFRICAN airlines have been urged to consider forming alliances with other airlines as most of the region’s economies were not strong enough to maintain a viable aviation sector on their own. Speaking on Africa Aviation Renaissance- Funding National Airlines, at the recently ended IATA day commemorations in Victoria Falls, Transport and Infrastructure Development Dr Joram Gumbo said partnerships were one form of collaboration that airlines could engage in the region to remain viable.
According to aviation experts, the biggest cost driver for the sector is fuel accounting for about 40 percent of all costs. This has seen a number of aviation companies struggling under heavy debts while some have folded.
“IATA day has opened Zimbabwe’s eyes and now we have to introspect on how best we can work together in the transport sector as aviation helps in the connection of all countries in Africa. As a country we have the opportunity to look at ourselves and see where we can improve our aviation sector, it could be the pricing structure of landing fees, hotel charges, fuels and all areas that promote this industry,” said Dr Gumbo.
Addressing the question of funding national airlines, aviation expert Dr Onai Kaseke said interline agreements which are the lowest level of cooperation between airlines as well as code-sharing which involves one airline putting its name and flight number on the other’s flights; were some of the possible collaborations that African airlines could engage in.
Meanwhile, Dr Gumbo on Friday toured the Victoria Falls international airport to assess the progress on the rehabilitation of the project which has been described as a game changer and expressed satisfaction with the developments.
“By the end of July, works will be nearly completed and we are likely to commission the project in August. As you can see, the international terminal is now fully operational and only 20 percent of work is left especially on the domestic terminal but I am much impressed with the progress made,” he said.
Dr Gumbo said negotiations were underway with different airlines that would operate the Victoria Falls route adding that his ministry was working with the Civil Aviation Authority and Tourism ministry to entice a number of airlines. He said by the end of the year, a big change would be seen.
“This project has taken a long time to complete but we are nearing the end. I cannot disclose at the moment which airlines we are courting but we want as many as we can get,” he said.
Dr Gumbo was accompanied by Chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development and Chegutu West legislator, Cde Dexter Nduna on the tour together with other officials.
Mr Nduna described the new airport as an infrastructural development second to none adding that the project would aid in the upgrading the country’s category of airports once commissioned.
“We can now build on, using this airport as a springboard for future infrastructure development in particular our airport infrastructure and runways. We will be visiting this project as a committee to assess the improvements that will be made after this visit,” he said.
Mr Nduna said it was imperative to employ more staff to increase the manning levels of the airport.
