HARARE – British Airways has suspended local ticketing in Zimbabwe amid a growing financial crisis.
The airline joins Emirates, which withdrew Zimbabwe’s full ticketing authority in August, also citing the government’s failure to repatriate millions of dollars.
“In light of the ongoing difficulties experienced in foreign currency repatriation, Comair regrets to inform our trade partners that British Airways operated by Comair is temporarily limiting distribution of Ticketing Authority in the Zimbabwe market,” a statement from the airline said.
The statement added that the ticketing authority for all agents in Zimbabwe will be limited to credit card payments only.
British Airways said it was “working tirelessly to find a solution”.
The broke Zimbabwe government owes international airlines millions of dollars.
National flag carrier Air Zimbabwe, meanwhile, said it would continue to accept payments in bond notes – an increasingly untenable situation with the surrogate currency’s dramatic decline in value.
Air Zimbabwe accumulated a huge $300 million debt leading up to 2009 after continuing to set prices in worthless Zimbabwe dollars. It has never recovered.
The airline, in a statement on Tuesday, hinted that it was in talks with the government to be allowed to either increase ticket prices or peg prices in foreign currency.
“Air Zimbabwe continues to trade in accordance with approved regulations in line with the multi-currency regime. However, we are in continuous engagement with the shareholder and the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe regarding the current economic situation with a view to establish a sustainable position for our operations,” the airline said.
