Govt acquires US$4,5m aviation equipment

The Aviation Ground Services (AGS) has acquired US$4,5 million new passenger handling equipment that is expected to improve efficiency and quality of passenger handling services at Zimbabwe’s five commercial airports.

The company was assigned passenger handling services in May this year after years of serving the cargo section only.

In a speech read on his behalf by chief director Loveness Dumwa, Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Felix Mhona commended AGS for its proactive approach to modernisation.

“A robust airport infrastructure is pivotal to the economic growth of our country and requires the participation of all citizens,” he said.

Mhona reiterated the government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for private sector participation in infrastructural development.

He said stakeholders in the aviation sector should create synergies that benefit the nation.

Mhona said there was a need for proper maintenance and care of the newly-acquired equipment to ensure its longevity while maximising its contribution to service delivery improvement.

AGS managing director Shingirai Ruombwa said the equipment would provide a seamless and efficient service to passengers at the five commercial airports in Zimbabwe.

Ruombwa said the investment was testament to the company’s commitment to providing high-quality service to its customers.

“We are committed to exceeding the expectations of our direct and indirect customers and to living up to our brand line, ‘The Power on the Ground,’ in the performance of all our tasks,” he said.

The new equipment, which includes baggage handling systems, wheelchairs and vehicles among other things, will allow AGS to handle wide-body aircrafts and to service up to three arrivals and departures at the same time.

Ruombwa said the company was also committed to supporting the development of the aviation sector in Zimbabwe.

“We are not here to compete with other ground handling companies, but to complement each other,” he said. “We want to work together to make Zimbabwe a leading destination for air travel.”-newday