Air Zim lagging behind foreign carriers locally
NATIONAL airline, Air Zimbabwe, is lagging behind in domestic routes development amid revelations that foreign operators are already planning ahead on establishing their local footprint.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo said although the Government has invested heavily in aviation infrastructure development, the first beneficiary of the investment, Air Zimbabwe, is losing out to its competitors.
“The Joshua Nkomo and Victoria Falls International airports have been upgraded to international standards. It is, however, disheartening that your competitors are already planning well ahead of you,” said Dr Gumbo while addressing Air Zimbabwe board and management during their strategic meeting last week.
He revealed that his ministry has already received enquires and applications from a number of foreign operators intending to operate directly into Victoria Falls.
“We have granted most of them the necessary permission to do so,” said Dr Gumbo urging Air Zimbabwe to move with speed in addressing the issue of appropriate equipment for the domestic routes.
Dr Gumbo said the airline strategies should revolve around developing Victoria Falls as a regional tourism hub whose activities should benefit the country’s economy. Domestic airlines that are utilising the Harare-Victoria Falls route besides Air Zimbabwe, include low cost carrier Fast Jet and new commercial airline Rainbow Airlines which are flying about three times weekly to the resort town from Harare. Air Zimbabwe flies daily to Victoria Falls.
Meanwhile, Dr Gumbo urged Air Zimbabwe to put more effort into reopening lucrative routes to London and the Far East so as to increase revenue inflows.
“You are the national flag bearer hence you are critical for promoting our brand as a country. I appreciate that under difficult conditions, you reopened the HarareDar al Salaam route as part of your route expansion drive last year. This is commendable but more effort should be put into reopening some of the lucrative routes into London and the Far East to increase your revenue inflows,” Dr Gumbo said.
He said although Air Zimbabwe was managing an aged fleet, how the airline manages its clients in circumstances such as delays becomes critical. According to Dr Gumbo, customers are key and an integral part of the success of any airline, adding that Air Zimbabwe needs to deal with the transformation of its corporate culture. According to Dr Gumbo, there is a need for improved work ethics and commitment to excellence.
The enterprises and parastatals that fall under Dr Gumbo’s ministry include the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), Central Mechanical and Equipment Department (CMED), Air Zimbabwe, Zupco Private Limited, National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), Zinara as well as the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe.
“It should be understood that when the economy is under-performing as is the case now, public anger is directed towards public enterprises that continue to drain the fiscus. It is your responsibility as board and management to proffer solutions,” he said.