Reports reaching London seem to agree that Air Zimbabwe will be back in business with its three times per week Harare ” Gatwick services on Wednesday. The troubled state airline had cancelled services to London, fearing seizure of its aircraft over unpaid bills. According to the state-controlled Herald newspaper the airline has managed to settle its debt to the Agency for the Safety of Aerial Navigation in Africa and Madagascar (Asecna) of US$2.8m (”1.6m). Just where the airline has found the money from is not clear.
Last month, Air Zimbabwe raised its fares by up to 500%, citing continuing losses and soaring increases in prices of fuel, maintenance and equipment. Zimbabwe itself is suffering its worst economic crisis since independence, with record inflation of more than 1,000% and acute shortages of hard currency, gasoline, food and essential imports. British Airways continues with its three times per week service to Harare using a Boeing 777.