Air Zimbabwe ferries passengers in trucks

HARARE — Air Zimbabwe’s debts continue to bring misery to its passengers as a ground services firm withdrew its services because of an undisclosed outstanding debt.

Passengers on the morning flight to South Africa yesterday were ferried in trucks from the aircraft parking bays at OR Tambo International Airport.

One of the passengers who were on the flight said the shuttle bus service was also not provided.

Passengers and their luggage had to be ferried in trucks from the plane into the airport for immigration formalities.

 Acting Airzim chief executive officer Mr Innocent Mavhunga yesterday confirmed there were “disturbances” at OR Tambo International Airport.

He, however, said they had since resolved the matter and the South African company had resumed its service.

“It is true that we had an operation challenge on arrival, but that has been sorted out,” he said.

Last month, Airzim bosses were held hostage by some of the airline’s 700 workers who held a night vigil demanding payment of their outstanding salaries.

The airline owes workers an estimated US$5,6 million in outstanding salaries.

In the same month, Airzim passengers in Harare, Beijing, Kuala Lumpur and London were stranded after the airline failed to buy fuel and flights were cancelled.

It is believed the national airline owes fuel suppliers about US$1 million.

Airzim’s debts are now over US$100 million and the firm’s board chairperson, Mr Jonathan Kadzura, is on record calling for proper restructuring to ensure viability.

The Government is making frantic efforts to turn around Airzim’s fortunes.

President Mugabe last month met senior officials from Hainan Airlines to follow up on the possibility of a partnership between Airzim and the Chinese airline.

Talks were already underway between the two airlines although no deal has been reached as yet.

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