In what could be described as the African aviation news story of the year, (that is, if it is proven to be true), Air Zimbabwe (UM) has now announced that it is in talks with undisclosed firms regarding the possible acquisition of an Airbus A380 for use on its pending resumption of flights to London Gatwick.
According to a report in Zimbabwe's Financial Gazette, Air Zimbabwe spokesman, Shingai Taruvinga, said a deal for a new A380 was underway, but could not disclose the identity of the owner, rumoured to be France based. “For us, it is about giving a better service because these are modern aircraft. This is the way to go. We are hoping that the A380 arrives before we start our international flights in July. Even if the (Boeing) 767 starts flying there, we are hoping that the A380 will replace it,” Taruvinga said.
Source [Financial Gazette]
Big talking Air Zimbabwe has in the past been linked to a number of hotshot deals that, while glamorous and exotic, have failed to come to fruition each time. Firstly, there was the much talked about tentative deal with Russia's Ilyushin for three Il96-300s in 2008, then followed rumours of UM getting two ex-Kingfisher Airlines A340-500s (MCN 886 and MCN 894, both of which are now at AZAL Azerbaijan Airlines) as reported in 2011.
