Air Zim plane fails to land

PASSENGERS flying to Bulawayo from Harare on Sunday had a nightmarish flight after the Air Zimbabwe plane failed to land at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport due to non-functioning navigation equipment and bad weather.

The plane was forced to return to Harare.

Alpha Media head of marketing and communication, Nancy Ziyambi, who was among the passengers, said the captain announced that the plane would not land due to bad weather and non-functioning equipment.

“As we approached Bulawayo, we were advised that the plane could not land due to airport navigation equipment that was not working and the poor weather that affected visibility. The plane turned to Harare,” she said.

This happened on flight UM331 that left Harare for Bulawayo at 7am. Ziyambi said the plane only made it on the second trip.

“When we got back to Harare, the passengers disembarked and had to wait for an hour before we started the journey again, this time landing safely,” she said.

There was no immediate comment from Air Zimbabwe. Air Zimbabwe chief executive officer, Ripton Muzenda said he was driving and could not attend to the question.

“I am sorry I am not in the office. I am actually driving and cannot assist,” he said. This is not the first time that the airline has failed to land in the recent past. The issues have always been related to visibility and failed navigation systems.

Air Zimbabwe also has problems in flying into the resort town of Kariba, particularly during hot summer days. Temperatures in Kariba, which is in the Zambezi Valley, can reach nearly 50 degrees Celsius in summer.

Source: Newsday