red huge losses following the cancellation of the Wednesday international flight schedule as we had to foot hotel and food bills for the customers that were to travel on Wednesday,” said sources at Air Zim.
David Mwenga, the Air Zimbabwe spokesperson, confirmed the flight was re-routed to Zambia on Wednesday. “We rescheduled the Wednesday international flight as the Boeing was on its way to Zambia. It is not true to say that it was taken off by presidential decree.”
Information Minister, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu refused to comment on reports the President commandeered a plane to Zambia. “I have no comment to such a silly question.” He then cut off his mobile phone.
This is at a time when the troubled Air Zimbabwe is struggling to service its local and international destinations due to a myriad of problems mainly the sub economic fares it charges while its engineers have left for greener pastures.
Several aircraft, including the Chinese MA 60 planes, which the President and ministers never use for safety reasons, are grounded due to lack of foreign currency to purchase spares. – CAJ News
24.8.2007
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Mugabe grabs plane, passengers stranded (24-08-07)
HARARE
President Robert Mugabe last week commandeered the last remaining Air Zimbabwe Boeing aircraft to attend the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional heads of state summit in Lusaka, leaving scores of travellers stranded at Harare International Airport.
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