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March 2011 Vol 30 Edition 1, Takeoff Africa: Aviation and Travel Indaba

Air Zimbabwe pilots strike for second day

Wed, Mar 23, 2011

Flights in Zimbabwe were grounded on Wednesday after Air Zimbabwe pilots embarked on a strike.

Flights in Zimbabwe were grounded on Wednesday after Air Zimbabwe pilots embarked on a strike.

This was the second time in less than six months that Zimbabwe pilots stopped flights. 

Pilots are striking over their outstanding salaries and allowance pay, but the airline’s chairman said the company does not have the money.  

It is understood that Air Zimbabwe owes its workers around US$9 million (R62.4 million).

All flights on domestic, regional and international routes were grounded when the strike started on Tuesday.

Among the affected passengers are South Africans from the mining industry who use Air Zimbabwe to fly to mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo. 

Board chairman Jonathan Kadzura told the local press that he did not have the money and was hoping that the pilots understood.

One pilot told Eyewitness News that Air Zimbabwe could not afford to reimburse stranded passengers for their unused tickets.

By Staff reporter and agencies

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