Air Zimbabwe had its two Boeing 767 planes grounded at the weekend because of failure to pay for “Navigational Aid”, owed to two United States companies leaving the national airline operating a single aircraft.
Aid to Navigation is a device external to a vessel or aircraft specifically intended to assist navigators in determining their position or safe course, or to warn them of dangers or obstructions to navigation.
Hundreds of passengers travelling to China and London were left stranded after their flights were cancelled due to the expiry of the navigational aid last Wednesday.
Sources close to the airline, said the national carrier owed US companies at least $230 000 which it failed to pay even though it had been given the option to pay in instalments.
Air Zimbabwe Acting Group Chief Executive Officer Innocent Mavhunga confirmed the development.
“Yes the planes are grounded due to operational challenges that we are facing in relation to funding and we are currently waiting for the shareholder to bail us out,” said Mavhunga.
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Air Zimbabwe is saddled with a $137 million debt and has struggled to pay salaries.