espite the country’s
national career, Air
Zimbabwe, receiving
negative publicity in
the last few years, it
seems many things
are happening in the
country and the coun-
try could once again experience a vibrant
aerospace industry that will lead to more
people visiting the country from Africa and
overseas.
During the same period, the flagship ca-reer received publicity that included bans
to fly to the lucrative destination of Eu-
rope, reportedly over safety issues.
Due to the country experiencing low eco-
nomic activities, it was highly likely there
was going to be turmoil to its aerospace
sector as potential sources of revenue
dwindled to the main career Air Zim-
babwe. This meant that its debts soared
and sources of funds meant to cushion the
national airline were almost insignificant or
non-existent.
The European ban as a result of the flag-ship airline no longer meeting the required
safety standards, including among others,
prolonged technical problems to its once
reliable fleet, affected the resumption of
flights to the previously popular direct
flight to London. This largely affected
growth of the country’s travel and tourism
as well as morale in the local aviation in-
dustry.
Flights within the country and to neigh-
bouring South Africa were maintained
during the troubled years, thereby im pact-
ing the airline’s dwindling revenue base,52 | http://www.nomadafricamag.com | ...Celebrating the world’s richest continent | Issue 11Zimbabwe’s Aerospace Industry:
A Promise to Huge Prospects
There are high hopes that the aerospace industry
in Zimbabwe is on the mend with a number of
developments currently taking place in the country.Words: MARTIN CHEMHEREd