Air Zimbabwe took delivery of a new plane on Tuesday as the struggling Zimbabwean national flag carrier moves to restore viability after almost a decade in the doldrums.
Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa told journalists on Tuesday night that the Embraer ERJ-145 would service domestic and regional routes.
She said the acquisition of the new plane “marks a significant step in efforts to revive the national airline.”
Air Zimbabwe has been operating with only two airlines for a number of years after grounding most of its fleet due to safety concerns and lack of spare parts.
The airline is reportedly in debt to the tune of more than US$300 million, with one of its aircraft impounded by creditors at the United Kingdom’s Gatwick Airport in 2011.
This forced it to suspend international flights in January 2012 to prevent more of its planes from being impounded by creditors.
JN/APA