Air Zimbabwe (UM, Harare International) shareholder, the Zimbabwean government, has issued a aircraft operational lease contract tender for the supply of one E145 to the troubled national carrier. The RfP follows the recent conclusion of a contract with Solenta Aviation (SET, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) for one ERJ-145.
Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister, Dr Obert Mpofu, told the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation the move is part of efforts to re-equip the airline with more modern aircraft.
“We would want to ensure that there is no disruption in terms of service and therefore a decision has been taken to source aircraft for operational leasing. We are therefore inviting applications from those firms who can supply the necessary equipment,” said Dr Mpofu.
Under the Solenta contract, the ERJ-145 was used to service domestic flights between Harare International, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls as well as Johannesburg O.R. Tambo regionally.
