Published: 07 June 2015

National airline Air Zimbabwe (AirZim) has so far realised nearly $40 000 from commercialising its technical and engineering services.

AirZim acting chief executive, Edmund Makona, said after investing about $50 000 in workshop refurbishments the national flag carrier raised $39 000 in less than two weeks after opening the warehouse to the public.

"Most companies in the transport, mining, manufacturing, construction and printing industries that were going to South Africa for engineering services are now coming here and we are expecting to raise significant funds from these operations," he said during a tour of the company's premises on Wednesday.

Makona noted that the troubled airline was also working on a turnaround strategy that would see it introducing new routes this year as well as diversifying its internal revenue channels.

"Last year we had approximately 180 000 passengers on the regional and domestic markets, we expect this number to rise this year as we work on introducing more routes. This is not the only strategy, we are very optimistic about work at our process shop," he said.

The acting Airzim boss hinted the airline had plans to introduce flights to the United Kingdom and China in the near future.

At its peak, Air Zimbabwe employed over 1 000 workers manning its network serving destinations such as Kenya, Tanzania, Singapore, China and United Kingdom among others.
- dailynews

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