PHILLIMON MHLANGA
Zimbabwe’s aviation industry is confronted by failure to repatriate funds, aged infrastructure and regional competition, posing a threat to the survival of the air carriers sector, Business Times can report.
The sector is also battling sustained negative destination image, resulting in a large number of carriers withdrawing themselves owing to heavy losses. Those resilient enough to survive the challenges are struggling to have a blue bottom line.
The aviation industry in Zimbabwe also lacks a strong national airline. In the 90s, close to 30 airlines were operating in Zimbabwe, but the number has dwindled after many have pulled out, because Zimbabwe has not been profitable for them. The sector has two international airlines, British Airways Comair and Emirates Airlines, nine regional carriers Ethiopian, Kenya, South African Airways and Airlink, Malawi, Angola, Rwanda, Tanzania and Air Namibia, while Air Zimbabwe and fastjet are the domestic airlines.
“The downturn in our economy has resulted in a lot of airlines pulling off since the route was not profitable for them. Once there was a huge drop in passenger numbers, they pulled out as a result. I am glad we still have some airlines that have remained. As we continue to grow and improve our economy, I hope we are going to have airlines coming into Zimbabwe,” Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) acting director general, Margaret Mantiziba said yesterday.
“But, the problem is some airlines have not been able to repatriate their funds, a situation which affected their operations,” She said the growing regional competition has seen some airlines choosing destinations like Mozambique and other countries in the region.
Mantiziba said it was important to have a strong national airline adding that it is important for Air Zimbabwe “to go back to its glorious days when it was the best airline going into Europe”.
Zimbabwe government liberalised the domestic market, as part of efforts to lure regional and international players. It also opened up the skies something that resulted in several international players expressing interest in coming to Zimbabwe. But, problems have seen them failing to come to Zimbabwe.
CAAZ is in the process of unbundling after government enacted Civil Aviation Amendment Act, which will see the regulator standing alone and the establishment of a separate commercial entity called the Airports Company of Zimbabwe.
