Air Zimbabwe aircraft seized over debt

Zambezi Airlines withdrew its B737-500 from operation which it made available to Air Zimbabwe on a long-term lease in Mar-2011 (New Zimbabwe, 18-May-2011). Due to the seizure (stemming from a USD460,000 debt), Air Zimbabwe has been forced to cancel all regional services. The aircraft had reportedly flown into Harare on a scheduled flight on the evening of 16-May-2011, but immediately turned back. The loss of the aircraft leaves the carrier operating one route between Harare and London, in addition to its two domestic routes.