Zimbabwe’s National Airline Air Zimbabwe also known as Airzim, has appointed a new Chief Executive.
Appointed is Ripton Muzenda, son to the late Vice President Simon Muzenda. He is taking over from Edmund Makona who was acting CEO since September 2013.
HE Walter Mzembi, Minster of Tourism posted on social media: Congratulations are in order, makes the most sense! Loyalty and experience rewarded, now to surround him with business & entrepreneurial talent and skill in a management team and a 21st Century survival culture..Felicidades!
Reports said Muzenda once worked as a pilot at the airline and was a chief instructor. Critics say he has no management experience to run guide Zimbabwe’s flag carrier out of a 3 million Dollar monthly loss.
Insiders say the appointment was a political one and question Muzenda’s qualification.
Despite doing well on its domestic network, Airzim is facing a big challenge on the lucrative Harare Johannesburg route. Competitors are both Star Alliance Member South African Airways and lowc-ost carried Fastjet Zimbabwe.
Airzim is in urgent need to find fresh capital, so the airline can buy more modern and efficient aircrafts.
The current fleet includes Boeing 737-200 Advance, Boeing 767-200ER and Airbus A320-200
Once one of the best airlines in the Southern African skies, the airline suffered and was downgraded due to gross mismanagement and political interference. Former transport minister Herbert Ushewokunze at one time described the airline as a museum of mismanagement.
The new CEP will have challenges and possible misconception to overcome.
