HARARE – Air Zimbabwe, the national carrier grappling with a myriad of challenges, is struggling to make its presence felt this festive season amid mounting debts, ageing aircraft, government interference, and poor management.
The airline, once boasting a fleet of 18 aircraft at Independence in 1980, is now operating only one plane, with several others grounded due to regulatory issues.
Despite its historical significance, Air Zimbabwe is failing to dominate even domestic routes, showcasing a drastic decline in its fortunes.
The recent revelations shed light on the airline’s current state, with only one operational aircraft and a fleet that has significantly diminished over the years.
Established as Air Zimbabwe (Private) Limited under the Air Zimbabwe Corporation Act [Chapter 13:02] and the Companies and Other Business Entities Act [Chapter 24:31], the airline’s main business objectives include providing passenger and cargo air transport, aircraft maintenance, and technical commercial training courses.
However, recent reports indicate a dismal failure in delivering these services effectively.
The airline’s struggle extends to reopening regional and international routes, a challenge attributed to a lack of long-haul aircraft and international aviation licenses.
International and regional routes are now predominantly served by competitors such as South Africa’s Airlink, Kenyan Airways, and RwandAir, leaving Air Zimbabwe sidelined.
The recent report by acting Auditor-General Rheah Kujinga further exposed the deep-rooted issues within Air Zimbabwe.
The financial books were found to be in disarray, with unaccounted-for planes valued at over US$30 million.
Kujinga highlighted the lack of impairment testing on recognised aircraft and the company’s failure to determine its ownership of certain planes, raising concerns about the accuracy of financial statements.
Financial discrepancies totaling US$92 million were also noted in the airline’s books, casting doubt on the accuracy of balance sheet balances.
Kujinga expressed concerns about the existence, completeness, and valuation of Air Zimbabwe’s inventory, revealing that an inventory count had not been performed as of December 31, 2019.
In addition to financial woes, Kujinga flagged issues with the company’s senior positions held in acting capacities, resulting from under-staffing due to a prior retrenchment exercise.
The risk of disrupted operations and limited decision-making capabilities were highlighted, urging the company to fill key vacant posts.
Air Zimbabwe’s troubled history includes corruption scandals, with former executives found guilty of breaking the airline’s rules in 2009.
In 2019, the airline faced scrutiny for its inability to account for three aircraft.
As the national carrier faces these challenges, questions arise about its ability to regain stability and relevance in the aviation industry.
