AIR Zimbabwe sank deeper into crisis on Thursday as management admitted flights to South Africa had been suspended for fear more aircraft could be seized by creditors.
The development comes at a time the airline is frantically trying to secure the release of a Boeing 767-200 impounded Monday at London’s Gatwick Airport over a US$1.5 million dollar.
Acting chief executive, Innocent Mavhunga confirmed daily flights to South Africa had now been suspended.
"We are not flying into South Africa. We are trying to secure funding to pay our debts in South Africa,” Mavhunga told the state-owned Herald newspaper.
"We are, however, still flying into Lusaka (Zambia) and Lubumbashi (DRC) as usual."
Prior to the London seizure, the airline had also been refused ground handling services at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo International Airport and its plane briefly held over a US$0,5 million debt.
Meanwhile in the UK, passengers due to booked on the return flight which should have left for Harare on Monday were still in a London Hotel with no indication regarding when the plane would be released.
“We demanded proof that the debt had been paid and were shown documentation suggesting a transfer of US$1 million had been made which is less than the American company is claiming,” one passenger said Thursday evening.
“We are not sure whether the US company will accept that amount or not. For the moment we are still at the hotel but some people are now making alternative arrangements to go home.”
Air Zimbabwe is battling a huge debt pile with the government understood to be looking for a technical partner to help the company stay afloat.
President Robert Mugabe was said to have held talks with potential Chinese investors during a recent visit to the country.