Air Zimbabwe safe but not flying to UK

Air Zimbabwe is authorised to fly to Britain twice a week but it has not operated any services this year. It operated 83 flights in and out of the United Kingdom last year.

This was said in the House of Lords yesterday after a British peer had asked whether Air Zimbabwe was flying into the UK in view of its financial and staffing problems and whether its aircraft were airworthy.

In response Earl Attlee said before being allowed to operate within the UK, Air Zimbabwe was required to produce a number of documents to confirm the airworthiness of its aircraft. These documents were found to be satisfactory.

“The Civil Aviation Authority conducts a programme of ramp inspections on foreign aircraft. In 2011, aircraft operated by Air Zimbabwe were inspected three times. Nothing was found during these inspections to indicate that the aircraft operated by Air Zimbabwe are unsafe.”

Full debate:

Asked by Lord Maginnis of Drumglass

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether Air Zimbabwe is flying into the United Kingdom, in the light of its financial and staffing problems; whether the United Kingdom’s transport authorities are assured of the airworthiness of those of its aircraft which over-fly the United Kingdom; and how many flights, in and out of the United Kingdom, were accommodated during 2011.[HL14955]

Earl Attlee: Air Zimbabwe is currently authorised to operate two scheduled services a week into the UK but it has not operated any services this year. During 2011 it operated 83 flights in and out of the United Kingdom.

Before being allowed to operate within the UK, Air Zimbabwe was required to produce a number of documents to confirm the airworthiness of its aircraft. These documents were found to be satisfactory.

The Civil Aviation Authority conducts a programme of ramp inspections on foreign aircraft. In 2011, aircraft operated by Air Zimbabwe were inspected three times. Nothing was found during these inspections to indicate that the aircraft operated by Air Zimbabwe are unsafe.

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