ZIMBABWE: Fly Africa Crashes Down, Grounded

Fly Africa’s operations have been suspended after the airline surrendered its operating licence due shareholding disputes and failure to meet statutory requirements.

The low cost airline’s planes have been grounded after the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) suspended the airline’s operations.

Earlier this week, the airline surrendered its operating licence citing operational challenges. Close sources say the decision to surrender the operating licence is a result of boardroom squabbles and shareholding disputes.

The airline has local and foreign shareholders. Apart from the internal disputes, the airline has not been remitting passenger services charges to CAAZ.

Information gathered also reveals the airline aircraft were not based in Zimbabwe while the company did not have an accounting manager in violation of Statutory Instrument 140.2010.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo confirmed the development, adding that after surrendering the operating licence and failure to meet the regulatory requirements the airline’s operations had to be suspended.

“After surrendering the licence and failure to meet the regulatory requirements, the airline’s operations have been suspended,” said Dr Gumbo.

The budget airline’s board chairperson Professor Chakanyuka Karase could not be reached for comment.

There was drama at the Harare International Airport on Tuesday when passengers had to be asked to disembark from the plane.

Despite surrendering its licence, the airline had booked passengers, prompting CAAZ to intervene for the safety of the passengers and to enforce the law.

The airline was licensed by CAAZ in August 2014 and introduced its first aircraft in the same month to service the Victoria Falls-Johannesburg route.