AIR Zimbabwe is negotiating the releases of one of its long-haul aircraft seized at London’s Gatwick airport over a US$2 million debt.
The Boeing 767-200, known as Victoria Falls, was seized by American General Supplies (AGS) when it landed at Gatwick International Airport en route from Harare on Monday morning.
Chairman, Jonathan Kadzura confirmed the seizure and said that AGS had secured a court injunction in the United States giving them the power to impound the aircraft over US$2 million debts.
Kadzura blamed Finance Minister, Tendai Biti for the airline’s woes.
“From our part we are very clear that this issue is political and we are hoping that the Finance Minister Tendai Biti will be able to see what we mean when we say he should support the parastatal. Surely the government has the capacity to pay the outstanding US$1.2 million debt,” he said.
“They (American General Supplies want their debt settled in full plus costs. We can see more attachments (of aircraft) coming,” said other sources, who asked not to be named as they are not authorised to speak on behalf of the airline.
Acting chief executive, Innocent Mavhunga said the airline was negotiating with AGS for the release of the plane.
"The debt has been outstanding for some time now and it has been impounded after we failed to meet the deadline of November 30 to settle it," Mavhunga said.
"We are negotiating with the supplier to give us more time to look for the money while, on the other hand, the Ministry of Transport is negotiating with the Ministry of Finance."
Air Zimbabwe last week had another aircraft refused ground handling services and impounded in South Africa, again over unpaid debts.
The SA company, Bid Air demanded US$500 000 before releasing the Boeing 737-500 after negotiations.
The airline owes suppliers and other service providers US$137.7 million.