The addition of the Chinese MA60 aircraft to the Air Zimbabwe fleet will help turnaround the parastatal's economic performance and boost its tourism, Transport and Communications Minister, Christopher Mushowe said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a ceremony to receive the third MA60 aircraft from China, the minister called on the management of the national airline to fully utilize the aircraft for the benefit of the company. The two MA60 aircraft that Air Zimbabwe received from China last year ply local and regional routes.

It was the dream of the ministry for Harare to be turned into a regional hub, the minister said. The two aircraft received last year had flown over 2,000 hours and had proved to be robust, fuel efficient, comfortable and safe with positive feedback from the traveling public, said Mushowe.

A representative of the China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) said the good operational record of the planes had spurred the market and had seen the company selling 17 similar aircraft in the region, with 14 more expected to be sold this year.

Air Zimbabwe, which has gained the "problem child" nametag, has been dogged by various problems that saw the parent ministry firing the airline's board and appointing a new one in a bid to improve the airline's fortunes.

Guests at the ceremony had the opportunity to board the plane and sample its comfortable features. The Chinese government presented the aircraft as a gift to the Zimbabwe government.

Source: Xinhua