AIR Zimbabwe has leased a Boeing 737 from Air Aquarius of South Africa to service domestic and regional routes, as a week-long strike by the airlines pilots continued unabated. Air Zimbabwe chief executive Peter Chigumba told The Zimbabwean on Sunday that the pilots had not returned to work and they had to lease another plane to ensure that passengers where not inconvenienced.
The strike is still on and we are working to resolve it. But we have leased aircraft from South Africa to fly on some routes, he said.
The pilots downed tools last Wednesday, demanding payment of salary and allowance arrears dating back to the beginning of the year.
The cash-strapped carrier has been paying the pilots just a portion of both their salaries and allowances due to financial constraints, thereby accumulating huge arrears.
He said two domestic destinations were being covered by the leased planes, and t hat Air Zimbabwe was also flying the busy Harare-Johannesburg route.
But all other international flights, including London and Beijing, remained susp ended due to the strike.
The pilots have vowed not to return to work until they are paid all their arrear s.
The airline said it had no money to pay, and has threatened to fire the strikers if they do not return to work unconditionally.
Post published in: Economy