Staff Reporter
Air Zimbabwe is gearing up to relaunch its Harare-London route as part of a broader strategy to expand its international and regional flight network.
The national carrier is aiming to strengthen its market presence after successfully introducing several new routes this year.
In an interview yesterday, Air Zimbabwe's Chief Executive Officer, Edmund Makona, outlined the airline's growth-focused strategies, which include a strong emphasis on corporate governance and human capital development.
"We have already established the Harare-Johannesburg route, which has been operational since July with four flights per week, and we plan to increase that frequency. The London route is also on the horizon, alongside new routes to Windhoek and Victoria Falls-Johannesburg," Makona revealed.
To support these expansion efforts, Air Zimbabwe has reopened its commercial and technical training schools, aiming to bolster its workforce and enhance revenue streams.
“We have revived our commercial training division and technical schools as part of our human resource development initiatives. This move will help us reduce training costs and generate additional income. Previously, some of our staff had to travel to South Africa and Kenya to obtain International Air Transport Association (IATA) qualifications in airline ticketing, but these courses will now be offered locally,” Makona explained.
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development, led by Chairperson Honourable Knowledge Kaitano, recently conducted a familiarization tour of Air Zimbabwe's facilities.
Kaitano expressed confidence in the airline’s potential, noting that Air Zimbabwe possesses a solid foundation and the capability to expand.
"Air Zimbabwe has the potential for significant growth. They have the capacity and are not starting from scratch. What they need now is investment and strategic partnerships. Under the current circumstances, they are performing well, but securing further investment is crucial," Kaitano stated.
As Air Zimbabwe continues its aggressive push to re-establish a strong regional and international footprint, the planned relaunch of the Harare-London route marks a critical step in the airline's efforts to reclaim its status as a leading carrier in the region.
