The International Air Transportation Association has deregistered Air Zimbabwe after the national carrier failed to renew its membership with the International Operational Safety Audit, an IATA wing that scrutinizes airline operations.
Air Zimbabwe’s registration expired on June 13, a move that affects its international operations. The airline suspended international flights and bookings earlier this year due to financial problems, which would have been affected now since that requires IATA clearance.
Acting chief executive Innocent Mavhunga told VOA the deregisteration was a direct result of financial challenges facing the airline at the moment. He said this will soon be a thing of the past as management works to deal with the current problems.
This is not the first time Air Zimbabwe has been suspended by IATA. Last year it was suspended again after failing to pay its dues.
Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce national advisory council chairman, Luxon Zembe, told VOA Studio 7 reporter Jonga Kandemiiri that excessive interference by government officials is one of the major reasons the airline finds itself in this position.
Air Zimbabwe’s operations, he said, will continue to be affected unless management is allowed to make business decisions to revive the airline..
