A Decade of Civil Aviation in Zimbabwe: Towards a History of Air Zimbabwe Corporation 1980 to 1990

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Periodical article

Title:	A Decade of Civil Aviation in Zimbabwe: Towards a History of Air Zimbabwe Corporation 1980 to 1990
Author:	Mlambo, Alois S.
Year:	1995
Periodical:	Zambezia (ISSN 0379-0622)
Volume:	22
Issue:	1
Pages:	79-100
Language:	English
Notes:	biblio. refs., ills.
Geographic terms:	Zimbabwe Southern Africa
Subjects:	business History and Exploration Development and Technology Economics and Trade Transportation air transport history Air Zimbabwe Corporation
External link:	https://d.lib.msu.edu/juz/609/OBJ/download
Abstract:	In 1980 when Air Zimbabwe was established, there was great hope that it would prosper, especially since it was going to operate without the restrictions of economic sanctions that had constrained its predecessor, Rhodesia Airways. In the first few years, Air Zimbabwe expanded its services and replaced old aircraft with newer and more fuel-efficient state-of-the-art aeroplanes. By the mid-1980s, however, the airline had started to lose money and continued to do so for the rest of the decade, necessitating hefty subsidies from the government. The present article traces the development of Air Zimbabwe from 1980 to 1990 and analyses the reasons behind the airline's disappointing performance. It suggests that the failure of the company to operate as a viable commercial enterprise was a result of both internal weaknesses of the airline's administration and restrictive government policies, as well as a generally difficult global economic climate. Notes, ref., sum.