HARARE – An Air Zimbabwe jet bound for Victoria Falls was on Sunday forced to divert back  to  Harare International Airport after developing a technical fault, according to sources.

The sources working at the troubled airline said the Boeing 767 was halfway into the flight – that normally takes about an hour – when it developed problems on one of its engines. 

An employee who answered a phone enquiry at Air Zimbabwe’s flight reservations desk confirmed that the Victoria Falls had been diverted due to a technical problem with the plane but would not disclose further details. “Today’s flight was cancelled due a technical fault,” said the employee.

Air Zimbabwe board chairperson Jonathan Kadzura, who of late has assumed the responsibility of entertaining media enquiries, was not picking up when ZimOnline tried calling him on his mobile phone late on Sunday.

Air Zimbabwe was once one of the best airlines in Africa at independence in 1980. But years of mismanagement and interference by the government have nearly brought the airline to its knees.

Starved of cash for re-tooling, Air Zimbabwe uses mostly obsolete technology and equipment while nearly all its planes are between 18 and 22 years old.

In addition, the airline pilots and other skilled staff have deserted the airline to go abroad where salaries are higher and working conditions better.

By Staff reporter and agencies