Artist Impression: New Victoria Falls International Airport Opening April 2015

Victoria Falls ready to host Routes Africa 2014

According to Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe (HAZ), Victoria Falls chapter chairperson, Jonathan Hudson, Victoria Falls is ready to host Routes Africa 2014 forum for the first time. He said while there were no major refurbishments to be expected for the forum to be held from June 22-24, this year, indications were that hosting the event would see the country derive major economic benefits. Routes Africa, the largest route development forum for the entire African region is a forum where airlines, aviation, tourism and government representatives  from the continent meet to explore opportunities to develop the aviation industry. The event will be organised by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ).

 

“As HAZ I think we are ready for the forum which will see about 400-500 delegates in attendance."

Much work was done last year as the country prepared to co-host the 20th session of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) general assembly,” he said. Clement Mukwasi, a tourism executive in the resort town said the forum was also coming at a time when the country was making aggressive strides to make Zimbabwe a leading tourism destination.

 

“As operators we feel all is in place. UNWTO last year was a platform that is opening such avenues and we are hoping that such forums pay dividends through increased arrivals by tourists,” he said. Victoria Falls International Airport, situated 21km south of the town, provides easy access to Victoria Falls and is currently served by scheduled domestic and regional flights and charter flights from various parts of the world.

 

The airport is currently implementing a major infrastructure upgrading project at a total cost of $150 million including construction of a new runway, international terminal building and control tower and is expected to be completed by December 2014.

 

Source: The Chronicle

CAAZ Plans to Market Bulawayo’s Joshua Nkomo Airport

The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (Caaz) has said it is working with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) to market multi-million dollar Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport on the outskirts of Bulawayo amid fears the airport could become a white elephant. Bulawayo has suffered massive de-indutrialisation over the last decade or so. Speaking during his seventh inauguration as president in Harare after a July 31 general elections triumph, Mugabe said although industries had collapsed countywide, Bulawayo’s industrial base had shrunk to “scrapyard levels”. The new terminal, which has state-of -art facilities, received its first flight on November 1 following a directive by President Robert Mugabe to start operating.

 The facility, which has a capacity to handle 1,5 million passengers a year, has been under construction for more than a decade during which it missed several deadlines to commence operations. For years the airport has been handling the arrival and departure of domestic and international flights under a makeshift aircraft hangar made of corrugated iron sheets transformed into a temporary terminal.

 

Last week Caaz chief executive officer David Chawota said they would not allow the airport to become a white elephant. “Arrangements for keeping the airport busy are in place. We cannot have a situation where the airport is underutilised,” said Chawota.  “We will go all out to ensure that this facility gets maximum exposure. We are working with the ZTA to sell the country to international visitors,” said Chawota.

There are concerns that due to massive company closures countrywide as the economy continues to struggle the airport would be underutilised. The airport can handle 400 passengers arriving and another 400 departing during peak hours. There are about 15 contractors working on the project that includes the refurbishment of the international arrivals’ hall, a variety of shops and a car park with a holding capacity of about 400 cars and a separate state pavilion. In addition to a business lounge, the airport houses bars, banks and the Joshua Nkomo gallery. In the lead-up to the November opening, some companies and service providers that had signed contracts to operate at the airport pulled out citing delays.

 

 

 

Article by Nqobile Bhebhe of the Zimbabwe Independent.