Published by the government of Zimbabwe
4 November 2008
Harare — The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe recently signed a bilateral air transport deal with Iran which will see Air Zimbabwe flying to Teheran five times a week.
Head of Air Transport, Mr Joachim Bango said the national carrier would start plying the route as soon as all the logistics were in place.
The agreement was in line with the Government's Look East Policy and also aimed at luring airlines from the Middle East region to fly into the country, he said.
"The national airline will fly to Iran five times a week using all entry points," he said.
Mr Bango said the new market had potential for huge economic benefits.
"New markets particularly in rich countries will go a long way towards economic development of the country," he said.
"Rich nations," he added, "were good sources for tourists."
He said penetration of the Middle East market was part of the authority's market diversification programme, adding that it was unwise to rely on particular markets.
"The deal will also be beneficial business-wise as airplanes are charged for use of airspace from the point of entry and landing navigation charges," he said.
CAAZ has established bilateral relations with several countries that include Austria, Germany, Italy, New Zealand and Thailand.
Said Bango, "Zimbabwe has established bilateral air transport relations with several countries which are ready to be fully exploited."
Under the present deal, Air Zimbabwe would be flying between Harare and Tehran without picking passengers along the way.
"Future agreements will enable the national carrier to pick passengers enroute to Iran," he said. -- New Ziana.
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Kunei? Endayi vanhu ve Herald.
How convenient! Now Comrade Bob and his henchmen can fly direct to Tehran to learn how to better oppress their people, suppress the opposition press and otherwise ruin what "should" be a prosperous country!
Oh wait, they already know how to do that! Maybe they're going to Tehran to give lessons!