Bulawayo  – The cash-strapped Air Zimbabwe is set to fire 468 workers as the airline struggles to meet operational costs.

Air Zimbabwe chairperson Jonathan Kadzura confirmed that the national airline will lay-off workers and required US$151 million to meet operational costs.

With a staff compliment of 1 500, Kadzura said it was abnormal for Air Zimbabwe to have such a high number of workers when the company was battling to survive.

“Board members agreed that a retrenchment exercise should be carried out to avoid unnecessary cost and expense. Therefore 468 workers would be relived of their duties,” he said.

Kadzura revealed that three Chinese made MA60s were on the verge of collapse and needed new engines.

The B767-200 BR and 737-200 are also costing Air Zimbabwe through high maintenance cost over the past 20 years

By ZIMEYE