Zimbabwe is facing a growing shortage of pilots and air traffic controllers as skilled staff leave for better-paid, tax-free jobs abroad, industry executives have warned.
Speaking at the Zimbabwe Aviation Development Forum last week, Fastjet Zimbabwe executive director Farayi Chikuni said the country has become a prime recruitment market for international airlines because of the high calibre of its aviation professionals.
There are fears that without tax incentives and policy reforms, more highly trained workers will be lost to airlines in the Middle East and Europe.
“We have a general shortage of pilots and air traffic controllers within the country. The biggest challenge is that our pilots can go to the Middle East where they earn more and are not taxed,” Chikuni said.
“If there were mechanisms or policies to reduce the tax burden on pilots, we would be in a much better position to retain experienced professionals. Every time a new airline expands into Europe or the Middle East, they come to Zimbabwe to recruit.
“While that demonstrates the quality of our human capital, it also highlights the urgent need to retain these skills.”
Chikuni said the country must review its aviation tax structure to match regional peers, arguing the existing costs are pricing Zimbabwe out.
“We are not advocating the removal of taxes, but rather a reduction that stimulates domestic and regional air travel”, he said.
“Increased traffic would generate broader economic benefits, including the development of airports such as Masvingo and Mutare, while enabling airlines to recapitalise their fleets with both larger and smaller aircraft capable of serving more destinations. That would make Zimbabwe a more competitive and accessible destination.”
More: Business Times
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