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Harare set to absorb Air Zimbabwe debt

Zimbabwe's Cabinet has decided to assume the debt of Air Zimbabwe (UM, Harare Int'l) and to extend its reconstruction period to June 30, 2021, to rescue the state-owned airline, the country’s Information Ministry has confirmed.

According to local media, the national carrier has debts exceeding USD300 million that are weighing down the restructuring exercise and potential strategic equity bids.

In a statement issued on December 15, Information, Publicity, and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the Cabinet had “considered and approved Air Zimbabwe’s balance sheet and its business plan post-reconstruction as presented by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development”. No details were given on the proposed reconstruction plan.

“Owing to the strategic nature of the national airline, Cabinet resolved to assume the debt as well as the extension of the Air Zimbabwe reconstruction period to June 30, 2021. The reconstruction will provide for the payment of creditors as well as return the airline to profitability".

Mutsvangwa said the airline would resume flights to Victoria Falls and Bulawayo on December 21, 2020,...

Zimbabwe airlines resume domestic operations

Fastjet Zimbabwe (FN, Harare Int'l) has confirmed it will resume domestic flights on September 21, 2020, with three weekly services between Harare Int'l and Bulawayo.

Twice weekly flights between Harare and Victoria Falls will follow on October 1, 2020. The airline said it would operate on a reduced frequency and review its schedules in line with customer demand.

It said international flights between Zimbabwe and South Africa were planned from October 1, 2020, when that country re-opens its international borders.

Meanwhile, Air Zimbabwe (UM, Harare Int'l) in a statement announced the resumption of domestic and regional flights from September 23 and October 3 respectively. The airline will operate two flights a day thrice-weekly between Harare Int'l, Bulawayo, and Victoria Falls.

The regional schedule will see twice weekly flights from Harare Int'l to Dar es Salaam; with another frequency added towards year-end. The airline said it would also resume flights to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo when South Africa's borders re-open in October.

The...

Editorial Comment: Updated with Air Zimbabwe resuming operations. - 17.09.2020 - 12:30 UTC