HARARE – The Airports Company of South Africa has released an Air Zimbabwe plane seized in Johannesburg over a R2 million debt.
The Boeing 767 200-ER was seized at OR Tambo International Airport on Wednesday after Air Zimbabwe fell back on its weekly payments for landing, parking and passenger service fees.
The plane flew to Harare on Friday night after the Zimbabwe government made a payment, ending an embarrassing episode for the airline.
Air Zimbabwe, weighed down by debts of over US$300 million, only has one aircraft fit to fly.
In a statement, the airline announced the “resumption of the normal flight schedule for both domestic and regional routes.”
“Air Zimbabwe wishes to thank and appreciate all its valued passengers for their patience, understanding and continued patronage of the national airline,” the statement added.
The Boeing 767 flies completes a triangle very morning by flying to Bulawayo and then Victoria Falls before returning to Harare. It then picks up Johannesburg passengers to wait at OR Tambo for the return evening flight.
