The Sunday Mail
Livingstone Marufu
LOCAL airline start-up Rainbow Airlines has indicated that it will take to the skies “anytime soon” after it acquired the Foreign Operator Permit from South African regulatory authorities.
The airline also refuted claims that it is heavily borrowed, insisting that it has never borrowed funds from any financial institution since inception.
Initially, the airline made a demonstration flight between Harare and Kariba on July 21, 2015 and indicated that it would start commercial flights the following month.
But the anticipated launch was postponed on regulatory hick-ups amid allegations that the company was debt-ridden.
However, the airline says that the delays were due to the time taken in processing the Foreign Operator Permit by South African authorities.
“The reason why the launch was postponed in August lies primarily to the issuance of the FOP by the South African authorities.
“Issues concerning the issuance of that FOP have since been resolved. The delay is in no way related to cash flow problems or indebtness,” said Rainbow Airlines in a statement last week.
Rainbow Airlines also stressed that they do not owe the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) $6 million as reported earlier, suggesting that the reports were contrived by “scandalous mercenaries who do not want to see Zimbabwe prosper”.
“From inception until now, the business has never borrowed any funds from any financial institution. The company has funded all operations from shareholders’ contributions. . .
“At the time of writing, particularly until 10 January 2016, Rainbow Airlines does not owe Zimra any money. These reports seem to be emanating from scandalous mercenaries who do not want to see Zimbabwe prosper.
“However, Rainbow Airlines will be taking to the skies any time soon.
The company, which was granted an Air Service Permit by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development in June 2013 and the Air Operator Certificate by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), also noted that it had established systems that make it impossible for the airline to be grounded, especially after undertaking a thorough study into the reasons that caused the short shelf-life of many start-up airlines.
Added Rainbow Airlines: “We are operating in the same environment as any other business in Zimbabwe. Accordingly we occasionally face challenges, but we always strive to rise above the challenges. . .
“As a business fully funded by local people, we recognise our responsibility to the people we serve, to the people who work for this organisation and our responsibility to contribute to the Zimbabwean economy.
“We are carving our niche in accordance with the Government’s vision as enunciated in Zim Asset.”
The airline is expected to offer a high standard air service plying the Harare-Johannesburg route and it will later service domestic routes.
