Zimbabwe recently renamed its international airport in honour of President Robert Mugabe. But the new name is not all that’s got the industry abuzz. A new airline is set to take to the skies of the southern African nation soon.
CGTN’sFarai Mwakutuya reports on the new developments.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APg7dEE_mDc
Internet images and video of large planes with the Zimbabwe Airways livery set tongues wagging that Zimbabwe could be winding up its troubled national airline and replacing it with a new one.
In recent weeks there has been speculation that it’s a privately owned entity completely unrelated to Air Zimbabwe.
Either way the new entrant will give a timely lift that will be felt beyond the aviation sector.
“From a tourism perspective we need as many airlines as possible. Our airports are not busy and even for government one of the innovative ways of raising fund is airport taxes. Government has not been able to raise revenue because volume low.” DR. Gift Mugano, an economist said.
Zimbabwe Airways is likely to operate long haul lucrative routes to Europe and Asia which Air Zimbabwe has failed to service because of its thin and aging fleet outstanding debt and viability challenges.
Analysts believe the new airline can succeed in an industry where image and reputation are paramount.
“Our challenge with current public airline is that issue of a good image, because of inconsistency, poor governance and issues regarding performance as a whole and you lose clients. So when this new airline comes into play it must start with a good mark and they will get the numbers. And it’s very important to reaffirm that the numbers don’t just come from Zimbabwe you get them along the way as you connect, service delivery and consistency is very key.” Mugano added.
Given its geographical location at the heart of the SADC region, Zimbabwe has been tipped to be an aviation and logistics hub.
Many feel it’s failed to live up to that because it hasn’t had a strong airline of its own to capitalise on the strategic advantage. While Zimbabwe Airways might not be state owned it will at least ensure it’s the Zimbabwean flag that’s being flown high again.
