Air Zimbabwe (UM, Harare International) has resumed scheduled passenger flights following the release of its only operational aircraft late last week.
B767-200(ER) Z-WPF (msn 24867) was impounded by the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo on Wednesday, October 23, citing the state-owned carrier's failure to adhere to a cash-upfront payment plan covering its landing fees, parking fees, passenger service charges, and legacy debts.
According to an Air Zimbabwe statement, the near 30-year-old jet was released on the afternoon of Friday, October 25, following extensive negotiations between the airline and the airport operator.
“We got all the clearances and we have been allowed to resume operations. Of course, there were payment plans and everything," Air Zimbabwe's corporate services manager Tafadzwa Mazonde told The Chronicle newspaper.
Earlier this month, Grant Thornton, the accounting firm appointed to administer Air Zimbabwe, confirmed the airline had thus far failed to attract any firm investor interest despite garnering attention from 10 prospective firms.
According to The Zimbabwe Independent, the Zimbabwean state's failure to formally assume Air Zimbabwe's legacy debt overhang of USD381 million has spooked investors. Eager to dispose of the airline, the ZANU-PF government has repeatedly stated its intention to assume the debt but has yet to do so given a lack of available funding.
