Tafadzwa Nyikadzino

Air Zimbabwe has added a new aeroplane to its fleet after it took delivery of a 50-seater Embraer ERJ145 plane at Robert Gabriel Mugabe Airport yesterday.

The new addition means the national airline now has 3 aeroplanes that are operating. Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona said air transport plays a critical role in growing Zimbabwe’s economy through opening and connecting markets.

“The growth of Air Zimbabwe facilitates the opening and connection to markets. It facilitates trade and enables industries to link into global supply chains,” he said.

Air Zimbabwe board chairperson, Never Nyemudzo said the new aeroplane will be used to ply domestic and regional routes.

“This important gesture responds to the current needs of the national airline where re-equipment is at the centre stage of turning around and growth strategy. To this effect, the Embraer shall be used to grow our domestic and regional routes while the B737 operates our Harare Dar es Salaam route and the B767 for cargo and passenger charters while we explore other routes,” he said.