Air Zimbabwe pilots on strike

Harare, Zimbabwe (PANA) - Air Zimbabwe pilots and flight attendants Wednesday went on strike for the second time in three months, demanding payment of overdue salaries.

The state-owned carrier is mirred in huge debts of about US$ 100 million, and this week service providers in Europe threatened to seize its planes.

The pilots and flight attendants said they were owed more than US$ 9 million in outstanding salaries accumulated over several months.

Air Zimbabwe chairman, Jonathan Kadzura, said the airline did not have money, and the striking staff just had to go back to work to avoid the financial crisis becoming worse.

"Sadly, I do not have money to pay them at the moment," he said.

The strike has grounded all of Air Zimbabwe's planes.
-0- PANA RS/VAO 23March2011