Ashley Masakadza

Zimbabwe’s National Airline, Air Zimbabwe has appointed Edmund Makona as its new Chief Executive Officer to oversee the parastatal’s turn around from debts and insolvency.

In a statement, the airline said his appointment, which took effect from 1 November came after he had served at the helm of the organization as the acting CEO. He will serve for 5 years.

“The Air Zimbabwe Private Limited board of directors is pleased to advise all stakeholders that Mr Edmund Makona has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of the national airline with effect from 1^st of November 2023.

“Mr Makona has been appointed in terms of section 14 4 b of the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act chapter 10:13 for an effective 5-year term. At the time of his appointment, Mr Makona was the Acting Chief Executive Officer.”

Makona has been in the aviation industry for over 30 years, with extensive experience in the industry. He takes over the airline at a time where it is battling with debts which removed it from plying international routes.

He will be expected to renew intercontinental flights, like the much converted Harare to London route. Debt clearance will also be a major milestone he will be expected to achieve, as the airline owes millions of dollars to various partners.

The airline currently has 6 aircrafts in its fleet.