Zimbabwean government assumes national airline debt

Source: Xinhua| 2020-12-16 10:13:36|Editor: huaxia

HARARE, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe's Cabinet on Tuesday resolved to assume the debt of national airline Air Zimbabwe and to extend its reconstruction period as the government seeks to prop up the company, said the country's information ministry.

The airline has debts exceeding 300 million U.S. dollars that are weighing down the restructuring exercise or potential bids, according to media.

Addressing a post-cabinet media briefing, Information Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the reconstruction will provide for the payment to creditors as well as return the airline to profitability.

"Owing to the strategic nature of the national airline, Cabinet resolved to assume the debt as well as the extension of the Air Zimbabwe Reconstruction period to June 30, 2021," Mutsvangwa said.

She said the airline will resume flights to Victoria Falls and Bulawayo on Dec. 21 after resuming regional flights in October. It had suspended all flights in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Enditem

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