The Sunday News
Chrispen Gumunyu, Business Reporter
AIR Zimbabwe has received a major boost after it took delivery of its first additional aircraft an Embraer ERJ145 purchased from the United States of America on Tuesday
In a statement Air Zimbabwe head of public relations, Mrs Firstme Vitori said the aircraft will go through inspections before it starts servicing some of the airline routes
“The 50-seater jet is expected to go through the local registration process as well as all mandatory checks, tests and certification before it enters into service within the next 21 days. All crew and engineers licensed for the aircraft have been drawn from within the current human capital pool, a sign of the high level of competent skills available in Zimbabwe” said Mrs Vitori.
She said management as also seeking to pay off its debts.
“The company is burdened with a debt overhang of over $380m, the bulk of which is to Government and Government related institutions and the new management seeks to raise funds to pay off the debt. Air Zimbabwe has tabled a proposal for the disposal of redundant and obsolete equipment which includes aircrafts and spare parts for equipment which is no longer in service. The disposal is expected to raise the much needed funds for recapitalisation and procurement of additional equipment,” said Mrs Vitori.
The airline has been in the media for the wrong reasons including reports that it was now left with one plane servicing many routes.
