The Financial Gazette reports that, at least five global airlines namely Qantas Airways, Lufthansa, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France and Delta Airlines have informed their travel agents worldwide that they have to bill their passengers in cash or stop accepting bookings altogether to avoid non-settlement of obligations from Zimbabwe’s banks, which are battling an acute shortage of foreign currency.
Betty Katiyo, president of the Association of Zimbabwe Travel Agents, confirmed the latest development, saying they will soon be making representations to the powers-that-be to see how the impasse could be resolved. Said Katiyo:
It is not just Qantas but many other airlines such as Delta and Lufthansa. Because of the banks’ failure to remit foreign currency payments, these airlines are now afraid of the risks associated with their exposure to Zimbabwe. We fear that tourism will be affected and there is uncertainty already. We do not know which airline will pull out next, in terms of us doing their ticketing.
More: Financial Gazette