ZIMBABWE’S first low-cost airline, Fly Kumba, has suspended operations with immediate effect on 20th January, barely 12 months after taking to the skies.
The airline made its debut flight in March last year. At the time of the launch, the airline cost half what Air Zimbabwe charged and four times less than traveling on South African Airways on the Bulawayo-Johannesburg route.
The company, operated by two South Africa-based Zimbabwean businessmen Patrick Chapwanya and Lloyd Muchaka, had brought relief to the traveling public due to its affordable fares.
Insiders at the airline confirmed the development, saying the company had been facing operational challenges for a long time.
“There are nagging issues that management is currently dealing with,” said an official.
“The airline encountered a number of operational challenges that have resulted in the suspension of operations.”
The airline placed adverts in the local media at the weekend saying: “The management and staff of Fly Kumba (Pvt) Ltd would like to apologise to all its valued clients and agencies for the cancellation of its flights from January 18 2011.
“The airline is currently working on refunding all affected passengers.”
Fly Kumba was operating a Boeing 737-500 leased from Air Namibia with a capacity of 108 passengers. The demise of the Fly Kumba comes at a time when Air Zimbabwe is reportedly operating at a loss of $2 million a month and has a debt of up to $64 million.
Air Zimbabwe, which used to fly on 25 routes, but currently services just seven as it tries to minimise costs, is one of several state-owned utilities which the government plans to sell through privatisation and commercialisation of loss-making parastatals.
If you have booked any Fly Kumba’s ticket with Flights Master Ltd please call 0207 993 6219 for further help & provision of alternate airlines.
You can call us Mon-Sat 10:00 GMT till 20:00 GMT to book cheap flights to Zimbabwe from all UK & European Airports. We are Air Zimbabwe authorized agents in UK & you can always call us to book cheap flights to Harare, Bulawayo & Victoria Falls. You can book your summer holidays flights & Christmas flights to Zimbabwe by paying deposits & finalizing with in 2-3 months.
The airline made its debut flight in March last year. At the time of the launch, the airline cost half what Air Zimbabwe charged and four times less than traveling on South African Airways on the Bulawayo-Johannesburg route.
The company, operated by two South Africa-based Zimbabwean businessmen Patrick Chapwanya and Lloyd Muchaka, had brought relief to the traveling public due to its affordable fares.
Insiders at the airline confirmed the development, saying the company had been facing operational challenges for a long time.
“There are nagging issues that management is currently dealing with,” said an official.
“The airline encountered a number of operational challenges that have resulted in the suspension of operations.”
The airline placed adverts in the local media at the weekend saying: “The management and staff of Fly Kumba (Pvt) Ltd would like to apologise to all its valued clients and agencies for the cancellation of its flights from January 18 2011.
“The airline is currently working on refunding all affected passengers.”
Fly Kumba was operating a Boeing 737-500 leased from Air Namibia with a capacity of 108 passengers. The demise of the Fly Kumba comes at a time when Air Zimbabwe is reportedly operating at a loss of $2 million a month and has a debt of up to $64 million.
Air Zimbabwe, which used to fly on 25 routes, but currently services just seven as it tries to minimise costs, is one of several state-owned utilities which the government plans to sell through privatisation and commercialisation of loss-making parastatals.
If you have booked any Fly Kumba’s ticket with Flights Master Ltd please call 0207 993 6219 for further help & provision of alternate airlines.
You can call us Mon-Sat 10:00 GMT till 20:00 GMT to book cheap flights to Zimbabwe from all UK & European Airports. We are Air Zimbabwe authorized agents in UK & you can always call us to book cheap flights to Harare, Bulawayo & Victoria Falls. You can book your summer holidays flights & Christmas flights to Zimbabwe by paying deposits & finalizing with in 2-3 months.
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