The South African Airways and Air Zimbabwe Holdings are working on establishing a major partnership, which will see the two airlines increasing capacity and reducing operational expenses by servicing selected routes during the 2010 Football World Cup scheduled for South Africa, Mirror has established.

If realised, the partnership, which also includes joint aircraft spare purchases and exchange training programmes, will be the first major venture the airlines will have collaborated in.

Air Zimbabwe Holdings chief executive officer Dr Peter Chikumba told Mirror that senior executives from the two companies met in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, on Thursday and Friday last week.

“The purpose of the discussions was to outline terms of the partnership,” he said. "We met the chief executive (of South African Airways) and his general managers. South African Airways would prove a strategic partner. They are among the few African countries in international partnerships, so we want to tap into their experience.

"The initiative is also part of the implementation of our turnaround strategy, which recognises that working with others is placing a sure foot on the path to success," said Chikumba.

Chikumba said last week´s discussions earmarked tourism, staff training and development as well as joint spare purchases as key areas of the proposed co-operation.

He said pooling resources would help absorb unit costs and increase the airlines´ revenue bases. In tourism, for instance, the venture could result in Air Zimbabwe linking Victoria Falls and Cape Town.

It is envisaged that the arrangement would better serve both airlines as the World Cup fast approaches. Air Zimbabwe and South African Airways technical experts are reportedly working on agreed modalities leading to the signing of a memorandum of understanding.