Air Zimbabwe Grounded For Lack Of Fuel

The telegraph (UK) ^ | 11-23-2005 | David Blair

[blam]

Air Zimbabwe grounded for lack of fuel

By David Blair in Johannesburg
(Filed: 23/11/2005)

Zimbabwe's state airline grounded its entire fleet yesterday after running out of aviation fuel.

For the first time in its 25-year history, Air Zimbabwe cancelled flights to every destination. All seven of its aircraft sat on the apron at Harare airport "until further notice". Hundreds of angry passengers thronged the check-in desks at Harare, although some flights did resume after more than 24 hours on the ground.

"The board would like to sincerely apologise to all its valued customers for the inconveniences," said Jonathan Kadzura, the airline's vice-chairman.

Zimbabwe's spiralling economic crisis means that the country has no foreign exchange to buy essential imports. Fuel shortages have been acute for five years. The airline has been ruined by the collapse of Zimbabwe's tourism industry and interference from President Robert Mugabe's regime. It began flying to Beijing, Singapore and Dubai to keep in line with his "Look East" policy of shunning the western world.

[blam]

Ping.

[neodad]

Just take the aircraft from the pilots and have peasants fly them. Problem solved.

[Ninian Dryhope]

A little short in the planning department. But at least they have the land now.

[sd-joe]

>> "All seven of its aircraft" <<

Wow, and it is a National airline.

Where is the UN?

[Buck W.]

So I guess I lose all of my frequent flyer miles?

[blam]

"So I guess I lose all of my frequent flyer miles?"

Yup. Most lost the farm.

[newbeliever]

You can't make this stuff up. I just checked out their website and found the menu!!!!!!!!

This is not a joke. I promise.

Traditional meals
Sadza with Biltong
Stew and Rape
Rice with Dovi, Traditional Chicken Stew and Rape

[vpintheak]

Gotta love the clean efficient dictatorships.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Traditional meals
Sadza with Biltong
Stew and Rape
Rice with Dovi, Traditional Chicken Stew and Rape

Sadza is OK and biltong is the worlds best jerky. Most of their rice and stew dishes are good but I have no idea what stew and rape is.

[stocksthatgoup]

Calling Hugo Chavez.........Calling Hugo Chavez

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

At one time that was a good airline, now Air Ethiopia was another matter .........

[SoDak]

If Hugo didn't have oil, Venezuela would be right where these guys are.

[Torie]

Just who would choose to fly Air Zimbabwe in any event?

[clee1]

All seven of its aircraft...

ALL SEVEN????? ROFLMAO!!!!!

And this pissant little dictatorship wants to tweak OUR noses? Fark 'em. Let them eat sand.

[calljack]

probally rap'e.

[festus]

Brilliant idea. It works with farms why not airplanes ? ;-)

[festus]

Most of their rice and stew dishes are good but I have no idea what stew and rape is.

I could be wrong but I think its part of the preferred customer status for French UN Peacekeepers that Mugabe is offering..........

[ccmay]

There will be cannibalism before this is over.

-ccm

[Clive]

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