Maravi

(TALKZIMBABWE) New Zimbabwean airline launched

New Zimbabwean airline launched
Nancy Pasipanodya
Sun, 20 Sep 2009 09:40:00 +0000

A Boeing 767-300ER (Extended Range) (254 Seats) plane that has been secured by VicFalls airways. It is the most popular variants of the 767s accounting for approximately two-thirds of all 767s ordered from Boeing. There was a total of 864 Boeing 767s in service with 48 different airlines as of July 2009.

A NEW Zimbabwean airline has been launched. The carrier known as VicFalls Airways will have a maiden flight in November, according to a statement emailed to The Zimbabwe Guardian.

"We are proud to announce the launch of VicFalls Airways in time for the World Cup tournament in South Africa and at an important time in the development of our country," read a statement from the airline.

The new carrier seeks to complement current scheduled flights into Zimbabwe and "explore other lucrative routes not currently covered by the airlines servicing Zimbabwe."

The company says the move to launch the airline at this juncture was necessitated by the continued optimism generated by the improved political and economic situation in the country making Zimbabwe one of the best tourist destinations in Southern Africa.

"We are taking advantage of the inclusive Government's Open Skies Policy which aims to attract more airlines into the country and the indigenisation policy which aims to allow entry into sectors originally skewed in favour of foreigners," says Mr Itayi Garande who is one of the directors of the airline.

"We will be entering into partnerships with established airlines and other airline related industries to enhance our service delivery and extend our reach. Currently, we are negotiating with two international airlines to partner with us, but are still looking for serious investors on the international component," he added.

According to Mr Garande: "There have been developments in the airline industry which make market entry exciting at this juncture. We hope to offer interactive timetables and route-mapping tools, for instance those developed by OAG, the world's leading aviation data business.

"We hope Zimbabwe will not stay behind when it comes to seeking out and implementing some of the most technologically advanced and driven products to make the travel lives of national and international customers easier."


The airline says the launch is in line with the rebranding strategy adopted by the inclusive Government, spearheaded by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara and Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi, which aims to restore Zimbabwe's glory as a tourist's first choice.

The main hub for the airline will be Harare International Airport and will be used for flights to both African and non-African cities.

The current proposed routes are: Harare - Johannesburg; Harare - Bulawayo - Victoria Falls (Round Robin Trip); Harare - Blantyre; Harare - Lusaka;
Harare - Maputo.

Flights to Dubai and United Kingdom are also being considered.

The company was founded two years ago, but the launch was delayed due to rising fuel prices and the global economic downturn.

"The aviation sector received a strong blow in 2008 first from rising oil prices, then from the global economic crisis, making it difficult for us to launch earlier," said Mr Masiwa Table, co-director of the airline.

"This is an opportune time for us to start operating. The World Cup tournament is around the corner and the global financial crisis seems to be abating, making market entry less difficult.

"We hope to start operating as soon possible. We have finalised the legal agreements and we are now looking at the operational requirements," added Mr Table.

The airline has attracted professionals from airline industry including Mr Kennedy Mutongerwa, who is a former Air Zimbabwe Regional Manager for Gatwick and Frankfurt. He is the airline's marketing director. Mr Charles Samuriwo, a former director of Zimbabwe Express Airline and former Civial Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) Board Chairman also joins the airline as chief pilot alongside British based Mr Graham Vincent Apostel. UK based Zimbabwean lawyer, Lloyd Msipa is the legal executive of the company.

The company will soon hold a launch ceremony in Harare where key stakeholders will be invited. The date and venue of the ceremony are yet to be finalised.

The company's marketing website is http://www.vicfallsairways.com. A full interactive website will be launched at the time of the maiden flight, according to Mr Mutongerwa.

Labels: AIRLINES, VICFALLS AIRWAYS

posted by MrK @ 5:21 PM