South Africa bans Air Zimbabwe over debts

Air Zimbabwe has been barred from operating from South African airports owing to failure to pay debts relating to aeronautical charges. Johannesburg features on the airline's advertised network but Airports Company South Africa says it has "suspended" the airline from its 9 airports effective Oct 22. It says the carrier is required to settle weekly the debts owed for landing charges, parking and passenger fees along with a partial payment of arrears. The airports operator says it informed Air Zimbabwe Oct 18 that it was facing the restriction on its services and that this would remain in place until outstanding payments were received. It states that the airline has been told it "will not be allowed to depart" from the airports. <br/>