Plans to provide 19 airlines for 2010

Experts from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa will meet this month to map the way forward in this effort.

Air Zimbabwe Chief Executive Officer Dr Peter Chikumba, who will participate in the meeting, says the airlines had given an undertaking to ensure that adequate transportation would be available for the influx of travellers from all corners of the world who would converge on South Africa for the football tournament.

"There will be sufficient capacity to move the passengers to their destinations of choice," Mr Chikumba said.

About three million tourists are expected to visit Africa for the world soccer showcase, the biggest single-sport event in the world.

Chikumba said Zimbabwe's national airline was planning to open new routes in the New Year.

It would start flying to Brussels from January while an internal flight within the Democratic Republic of Congo would be expected to begin operations.

He said the moves were part of efforts to generate foreign currency for the national airline which was struggling to meet its requirements.

About 70% of the airline's expenses were paid in foreign currency while the remainder was settled in local currency.

Chikumba said the airline was holding talks to use its cargo service to carry produce on behalf of the Horticultural Promotion Council.

In December, Air Zimbabwe met standards set by the International Air Travel Association (IATA).

Article published courtesy of BuaNews