Zimbabwe Airways Can't Fly Because They Don't Have Any Pilots (And Pilots Are Expensive)

Everytime I see references to 'Gucci' Grace Mugabe I can't help but giggle.

Those 100 trillion dollar bills can only go so far, I guess.

It is sad that countries who are struggling economically end up with leaders who not only steal a few dollars but steal tens of millions, if not more, from people who desperately need the money. And then they often end up in power for many decades, you'd think someone would have knocked them off much sooner.

If anyone has been to or spent time in Africa this should not surprise them at all, sad

Is this a good time to highlight to you that Grace Mugabe at one point purchased 2 luxurious properties in Kuala Lumpur & Hong Kong? One for her family and one for where her daughter was studying, IIRC

Oddly enough, the aircraft Z-RGM made a flight from Harare to Kuala Lumpur the other day according to Flight Radar 24. It hasn't departed KUL according to the site (no subsequent sectors).

lol...the shade thrown in this article is sincerely some of your best, Lucky!

Maybe they are afraid of the curse from Malaysian Airlines.
First commertial flight, airplane disappear.

This is fantastic!

I worked for a company which was approached by Air Zimbabwe to acquire several of our regional jets and they asked us to assist them in the process to obtain visas for a visit to inspect the birds. They gave me Simba Chikore's name, his wife (Robert Mugabe's daughter), their infant son, the nanny, the personal assistant and (finally) a couple of people who might actually be able to inspect an airplane (which were located in Montana). My inquiry to the State Department was met with derision (and denied) as nothing more than a front of a Mugabe family shopping trip in NYC, which is where all but the two poor souls who were to inspect the aircraft would have stayed for the duration...

I'm not sure why you continue to impugn the integrity or Mr. Mugabe. His revolutionary credentials are beyond question within the anti-colonialist movement in Africa.

Yes, the sass and shade in this post is brilliant. I love this post Lucky.

And yes, we need to know what will happen to this airline and the B777. Thank you for the interesting posts Lucky.

.."Is Mugabe’s son-in-law a pilot? This question led me down a whole different rabbit hole." I burst out laughing and read that line severally. Much needed comic relief.

Pilots expensive ???
Yes Lufthansa , Air France etc. are...and going on strike from time to time for even more money...
Pilots who worked foe Ryan O´Leary (RYANAIR) sometimes worked for 2500 $ /month.
Take offs , cruising and landings were not worse than with any other pilot .
Maybe Z-air should ask Ryan , how to do this...

@Charlie

Yes, pilots are expensive.
There's a worldwide shortage of pilots. Those that left Ryanair in droves are finding jobs elsewhere just as those that are leaving Emirates. Air Berlin's pilots were snapped up.

I think that you don't really know what you're talking about.

It’s a shame to see how far my country has fallen. Although I miss it and visit whenever I can, I’m glad I “escaped” to Australia years ago.

Also, let’s not forget that Air Zimbabwe’s staff are essentially paid in “IOUs.” Basically, UM’s staff are paid a low “stipend,” with wages to be paid “when available.” I’ve flown Air Zimbabwe a few times over the last few years, and a once decent airline has fallen into complete and utter shambles. These 777s represented a faint glimmor of hope, but as all things in Zimbabwe, it’s obviously died quite quickly.

WOW! VERY interesting post!

Gucci Grace, I mean WTF!?!?.

What else can one say beyond the obvious.

“It is sad that countries who are struggling economically end up with leaders who not only steal a few dollars but steal tens of millions, if not more, from people who desperately need the money. And then they often end up in power for many decades, you’d think someone would have knocked them off much sooner.”

Rich, are you talking about Zimbabwe or the US?? Seems like it could go either way these days.

Hi Lucky, can you please sort out mail chimp. I have received 5 requests to subscribe and pop up boxes keep coming and blocking what I am trying to read . I have subscribed , but it keeps asking me .

Hilarious. Well done Ben. Loved this post.

@ ken -- Thanks for letting us know. I don't think it's the fault of MailChimp, but rather that we had to change how we use cookies because of GDPR. Let me see what can be done to fix it.