The Zimbabwean government intends to reintegrate state-owned Air Zimbabwe (UM, Harare International), and state groundhandler National Handling Services (NHS) for greater efficiencies at the country's airports, according to Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Mike Madiro.
The state-owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) reports the government has already enlisted a consultant to oversee the reintegration of the two state entities. ZBC cited Madiro as saying that discussions on the re-merger were ongoing: "Issues to do with a re-merger between NHS and Air Zimbabwe have been topical, and the fact [is] that sustainability of service provision has to be guaranteed given the competitive nature of the industry. This is a policy position which is now work in progress."
At its annual general meeting in Harare last week, NHS highlighted the need to be re-equipped and capacitation in line with the government's drive to revamp the country's aviation facilities. Zimbabwe recently completed the expansion of the Harare International Airport, expected to increase its passenger and cargo handling throughput.
NHS Chief Executive Officer Godknows Marawanyika disclosed: "We are focusing on recapitalisation in our five-year plan where we are concentrating on bringing new state-of-the-art equipment to complement what the government is doing in refurbishing and building new aviation facilities."
ch-aviation has reached out to Air Zimbabwe for comment.
