Zambian Airways’ suspension of operations is a tragedy – Mwenye

Zambian Airways’ suspension of operations is a tragedy – Mwenye
Written by Allan Mulenga
Monday, January 12, 2009 6:35:49 AM

FORMER Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) honorary secretary Musa Mwenye yesterday said the suspension of operations by Zambian Airways is a tragedy to the nation.
And Federation for Free Trade Unions of Zambia (FFTUZ) vice-president Charles Phiri said the airline's suspension of operations would have negative effects on the economy.

Commenting on the airline's indefinite suspension of all operations, Mwenye, who is also a Lusaka lawyer, said the suspension of Zambian Airways' operations could have been avoided had the government intervened in the matter.

"The suspension of operations of Zambian Airways is a tragedy not only to the shareholders and their families, but also to the entire nation," he said.

Mwenye said since the airline was a strategic courier, the government would have emulated other countries that had dealt with the industry and helped the airline find a lasting solution to the problems affecting its operations.

"Since as a nation we don't have the national courier, the government should have taken a leaf from what had happened in European [countries] or America and take relevant measures to find solutions affecting its operations," Mwenye said.

And Phiri observed that the cost of running business to some extent in the country would be high with the suspension of all operations by Zambian Airways.

"Generally, our economy will be affected because Zambian Airways was offering cheap and reliable services to Zambians in the business sector. We are looking at a situation where people doing business in the country will have no option but to travel by bus both locally and internationally," he said.

Phiri said in the long run, some businesses could collapse because not everyone could afford the high air travel costs.

"Travelling by bus to South Africa will be a difficult undertaking to most businessmen and women and since the operations of the airline have been suspended, we see a situation where very few people will be able to continue running their businesses," he said.

Phiri also said the labour movement was saddened by the high number of workers whose job security was threatened by the airline's decision to suspend operations.

"As FFTUZ, we are deeply saddened by the loss of employment among our members," he said.

Phiri appealed to the government to ensure that the operations of Zambian Airways were sustained as most Zambians depend on its services.

On Saturday, Zambian Airways suspended all of its operations citing high operational costs. According to the airline's board, operations had been suspended until further notice to facilitate restructuring.

The board noted that the last 18 months had been very challenging for the airline industry in general and Zambians Airways in particular.