Sources at the national airline said the pilots were demanding new and higher salaries paid in foreign currency, shunning the near worthless Zimbabwe dollar which continues to shed its value faster than any other currency on earth.
The pilots reportedly want to be paid salaries ranging from US$12 000 to US$15 000 per month and have vowed not to return to work until management acceded to their demands. Pilots at present earn between US$7 000 and US$10 000.
They want an immediate increase in their salaries which they were promised last month. They were supposed to have been paid the money this month but found nothing in their accounts, said one working at Air Zimbabwe.
Air Zimbabwe announced in a statement broadcast on national radio that it had cancelled all Friday's flights but said that this was due to pilots falling sick.
“Air Zimbabwe would like to advise its valued customers that there shall be no flights today and in the next 48 hours due to pilots' illness. We advise our valued customers to make alternative travel arrangements during this period,” the airline side.
Zimbabwe's national flag carrier has since the country's economic crisis started in 2000 lost its position as one of the best airlines in Africa due to mismanagement and interference by the government, including by President Robert Mugabe who often grabs planes to fly him on his countless foreign trips leaving passengers stranded.
Starved of cash for re-tooling, Air Zimbabwe uses mostly obsolete technology and equipment while nearly all its planes are between 16 and 20 years old.
In addition, the airline pilots and other skilled staff have deserted the airline to go abroad where salaries are higher and working conditions better.
-ZimOnline