Air Zimbabwe (UM, Harare International) has paid more than USD1 million to key international service providers, paving the way for its return to global ticketing and code-sharing platforms, a critical milestone in its ongoing turnaround strategy, according to CEO Edmund Makona.
The move will enable passengers worldwide to book Air Zimbabwe flights through travel agents and partner carriers, boosting international visibility and passenger volumes.
According to public broadcaster ZBC News, Makona made the announcement at Victoria Falls on July 1: "We asked ourselves: what’s on the critical path to our revival? Visibility on global selling platforms was top. Without it, we couldn’t do code-sharing or interlining. Now, with shareholder support, we have cleared most of the debt," he said.
Makona confirmed that integration with global distribution systems (GDSs) is underway and expected to be completed within three months.
Air Zimbabwe is currently in year four of a six-year turnaround strategy focused on fully utilising its idle assets, fleet modernisation, growing its route network, passenger and cargo revenue growth, and generating ancillary revenue.
ch-aviation contacted Air Zimbabwe for comment.
In 2022, Air Zimbabwe secured USD1.4 million to clear debts owed to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in hopes of rejoining the association.
However, as of the most recent information from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Air Zimbabwe is neither an IATA-member airline nor registered on the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) programme. The airline lost its IOSA registration in December 2016 and allowed its 2019 IOSA membership to lapse. It is also still banned by the European Commission from operating within the European Union (EU).
