Air Zimbabwe?

[Traffic Magnet]

Hi all....

I'm interested to know what the current situation at Air Zimbabwe is like.

What are they like to work for, are they managing to run their operation effectively, are load factors good and do they experience any major problems due to the current situation in the country?

This question stems from a genuine interest in Zimbabwe.

[Deanw]

From another maillist:

Beeld (Monday, 23 May), citing the Daily Mirror, published a report stating that a Air Zimbabwe Boeing flew the published 6000 km journey from Dubai to Harare with only a single passenger, apparently a record. Out going flight had 49 passengers. The report mentions a 205 seat capacity, making it rather a B767, rather than the reported B737, which would anyway not have the range.

[jbayfan]

Traffic Magnet

If you are a masochist, great place to live and work, but otherwise there isn't a barge pole long enough!!!

[tic]

Is Air Zim, contemplating a DXB route? Used to fly for them way back, and despite the salary, it was great. It used to have the best record re accidents in Africa, bar any other African airline. Still does now, I think.Certainly, when I was there, the only fatality they had was when it was CAA, in a Viscount, at Wadi Halfa, in the 60's, if I remember. Maybe late 50's, in a dust storm.
It was agreat place to live, un-fortunately, enter Mugabe.
Still, if any-one has info on DXB ( Dubai ), and UM is doing it, I would like to know.
tks

[McGreaser]

Yes UM is flying to DXB twice a week. Yes they had one pax on one of their flights but am sure it will pick. Just have to be optimistic with these things. Still is a very great company to work for with a great safety record. But then again if you view anything associated with Zim with contempt it obviuosly won't be your cup of tea. Don't be fooled by some people in this forum wwho will jump to say UM is bla, bla, bla only cause they have resentment for the country or for Bob. Every airline has problem and UM is no exception. Give them a try if the oportunity arises.

[Rhodie]

tic - there were the two Viscounts in '78/79 out of Kariba - but those were terrorist actions brought down with SAM 7's. The saddest moment in Rhodesian aviation and in the history of the civilized world - but 'A Deafening Silence' followed.

McGreaser - no-one here would doubt the capabilities of the crews, and we would go on (I assume) your first-hand observations of the company... what is unfortunate however - and indisputable, is that Mugabe has trashed the country, and by association, the state enterprises. Until he stops using Air Zim as his personal airline, credibility will be questioned.

and yep - my name says it all...

Cheers

R

[McGreaser]

Hoo-kay Rhodie. Whilst yo input is acknowledged, how then does it answer the original thread or what is it's relevance vis-a-vis to the original thread ? And yes, l speak first hand about UM. Whose credibility will be questioned, the airline, Bob, crew ? The fact that UM crew fly him regularly obviously says something about their flying. Air Zim has suffered and will continue to suffer directly/indirectly under the current political climate. But inspite of this harsh climate safety, is still of paramount importance.

Traffic Magnet, if you r going to join UM or are considering it PM with any questions.

Like most topics involving Zim or UM let's try stick to the original topic. How Bob has/hasn't ruined the Zim can be at best left for another forum.

[V1 Rotate]

McGreaser,
Unfortunately what Bob does, DOES have a profound effect on the Aviation industry, not only in Zim but in the region as a whole.
He does consider Air Zim to be his own personal flight department and has done for a long time.
V1

[Traffic Magnet]

McGreaser thanks for your reply. I ain't going to join UM though! My question about UM comes from both an interest in the current political climate in Zim (had family living in Bulawayo years ago) and an interest in aviation and how UM can operate under such difficult circumstances.

I know they had trouble with IATA a while ago and ended up being banned from booking onward flights with other carriers.

I've heard how old Bob abuses the airline for his jollies overseas. Last year he wanted to attend some UN conference in Switzerland at short notice to strut the world stage. That's the one where Chirac shook his hand.

UM B767 commandeered again but he had difficulty getting overflight permission from some African countries at the last minute (Sudan & Uganda being two) and had to go a long way round and stop to refuel. I'm sure that's somewhere on pprune.

Do they carry a lot of pax & cargo in & out of Harare and whereabouts do they get their routine maintenance done? Have any of their crews left to go to fly for other carriers?

If anyone's got first hand experience or other knowledge then it'd be interesting to know.

Keep the discussion going!

[Skylion]

Despite current politics, - which will be resolved sometime,- Air Zim still has good long term prospects. It has been remarkably resilient.
The 3 Viscount losses were:
1) CAA on Salisbury-London service hit ridge of high ground on way into Benina ( Benghazi). Appeared to descend too early with airfield in sight. August 1958.
2) Air Rhodesia near Kariba: September 1978.
3) Air Rhodesia : SAM attack after departing Kariba, February 1979.

Viscounts worldwide had a pretty alarming casualty rate with over 50% ending their days in accidents/incidents.

[The Claw]

On the plus side Air Zim has been able to purchase four new aircraft. These being 60 seater XAC MA60 twin-turboprop airliners.

[Ballas]

Air Zim has been able to purchase four new aircraft

Could be wrong but were these not "gifts" from the Chinese? God knows what they agreed to in return.

[737fanatic]

I can assure all doubting minds that Air Zim still runs a tight ship as far as flight crew are concerned. Despite the current difficulties that the airline is facing ie, fuel shortages etc the airline takes no short cuts and still expects its crew to operate and maintain the high standards that it is well know for. Regarding the MA60 aircraft, lets all use a degree of 'fair play', they may well be Chinese built however the vast majority of the major components are from the west. From the look of things there may well be several other African operators utilising the MA60 in the very near future.

On another note it is sad to see many people running down Air Zimbabwe, l wonder how many of these postings are from pilots that did not make the grade when it came to pilot interviews. Lets be honest, l bet there are several of you out there who would give anything to fly for Air Zim.

[Qwagga]

Ish, 737Fanatic, I think you had too many "Chibukus" Sjamwari, I actually can not believe any passengers still want to fly with UM!

The state of the a/c's are shocking, seen them, flown in them and then I know some of the crew, ish?

With eveything else in Zim going down the drain it is only logic that their national carrier has to follow, ZCAA, Maintenance, airports, unbelieveable????

[126,7]

737fanatic

Lets be honest, l bet there are several of you out there who would give anything to fly for Air Zim.

Do you really believe that? Would that also mean that a person has to be based in Zim and earn Z$? I wouldn't want to!

[inlet corrosion]

The airline has been used for pilots as a training ground for the past 25 years. Only a few ever saw it as a career and even they have left. It is a miracle that it still operates, especially when they start routes which must cost huge amounts with no forethought ! Chinese planes - only because the Chinese are getting something they want from the deal. My guess they will be parked next to the 146 sometime in the near future.

[jbayfan]

Lets be honest, l bet there are several of you out there who would give anything to fly for Air Zim.

737Fanatic, what exactly are you smoking?? Besides making you high, you are now starting to hallucinate!!

[I.R.PIRATE]

To quote a line a saw on a movie recently......" American plane....Russian plane.....all parts made in China anyway.

[767200ER]

well i for one cannot wait to finish school and fly for air zimbabwe, my aunt is currently flying for them and has no complaints other than the workin hours, which is no issue really. i will fly no other airline but air zimbabwe. when goin to zimbabwe. yes the airline has problems but which doesn't? the singapore flight started out slow but is picking up. they have recently refurbished the interior of one of the jets and are awaiting confirmation of a delivery of a -300ER or possibly even a 777. An airline is not a reflection of a country, look at ethiopian, they are ordering 787's but look at the country, sure the flights have to go to rome once in a while and i may not get my upgrade to bussines because that part of the aircraft has been replaced by the presidents bed when it is bob's taxi. but its still a great airline with an excellent flight crew and yes the greatest safety record in africa. So to those that mock and ridicule the airline dissapointing that you excpect every airline to be ordering 747's and all sorts for it to be considered 'developed'.
Just my 2cents worth.

[Kep Ten Jim]

767200ER -

Nice one bud! You had us all going. Especially the spelling mistakes