Zimbabwe's state airline gets new IATA license
Zimbabwe's troubled state airline gets new IATA license to resume intercontinental flights
HARARE, Zimbabwe (AP) -- Zimbabwe's state airline says it has been licensed by the International Air Travel Association to resume flying to intercontinental destinations.
Air Zimbabwe said Friday the world aviation body had finalized a safety audit on replacement aircraft and new services.
The airline was grounded in early 2012 after a series of pilots' strikes and spiraling debt that led to its aging planes being seized in London and Johannesburg.
Zimbabwe has leased two Airbus 380s for long-haul flights, and Brazilian-built Embraer jets for regional and domestic routes.
The airline plans to increase regional services immediately and resume direct flights to Europe in November. Most of those passengers have been transiting through Dubai and Johannesburg.
The airline also said it signed a deal with the Air France-KLM group to maintain its aircraft.