(TALKZIMBABWE) Biti, Goche clash over Air Zimbabwe bailout

Biti, Goche clash over Air Zimbabwe bailout
Posted by By Our reporter at 26 August, at 15 : 01 PM Print

TRANSPORT, Communications and Infrastructure Development Minister Nicholas Goche is headed for a clash with his Finance counterpart Tendai Biti on Government’s role in bailing out the ailing Air Zimbabwe.

Minister Biti argues that Government will not rescue the national airline citing other pressing demands. However, Minister Goche dismissed the claims as “personal views”.

Air Zimbabwe is wholly-owned by the Government. Its planes have been grounded for the past four weeks after pilots downed tools demanding outstanding salaries and allowances.

Minister Biti on Tuesday said Government did not have money to rescue the airline.

“We are not going to do that (bail out Air Zimbabwe). We don’t have the money.

“We have a deficit of US$86 million on critical issues and giving Air Zimbabwe (money) is not a priority,” he said.

However, Minister Goche yesterday dismissed the claims, saying Minister Biti’s statements were not Government position.

He said Government was seized with the matter.

“Government is doing all it can to assist Air Zimbabwe remain in business.

“If the Minister of Finance said that, it may be his personal view, not Government position.

“The shareholder is doing something about Air Zimbabwe and if the Minister of Finance is not doing something, the Minister of Transport is doing something,” he said.


The cockpit crew went on strike on July 29 after the airline failed to pay June and July salaries and allowances.

The strike has cost Airzim millions of dollars.

The airline has been forced to book its passengers in hotels while searching for alternative flights.

The strike has affected the airline’s twice weekly service between London and Harare and the weekly service between Beijing and Harare.

Domestic and regional flights have also been cancelled.

The national airline board and management have already indicated that they would need to cut their staff from 1 200 to about 409.

Airzim’s absence in the skies has boosted business for other airlines such as South African Airways on the Harare-Johannesburg route and the Johannesburg-London route.

Ethiopian Airlines and Kenyan Airways are also enjoying good business from Zimbabweans and other nationals travelling between Harare and London.

TH/TZG