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Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
VICTORIA Falls has the potential to transform and steer growth in the country’s economy by attracting more tourists through the new look Victoria Falls International Airport, a director in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (Comesa) has said.

Dr Abu Sufian Dafalla, who is director for Infrastructure and Logistics Division, was speaking after touring the airport last Wednesday.

Technocrats and officials from Comesa member countries met in Victoria Falls last week where they discussed coming up with a regulatory framework towards a single aviation policy that would liberalise aviation space and enable airlines to fly directly to any destination in the regional bloc.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) led the delegates on a tour of the airport to appreciate work being done in Zimbabwe by the Government.

Dr Dafalla said the multi-million dollar facility presents a face for Africa and can be the gateway into the region.

“We would want to commend CAAZ and airport staff for the good work as well as the hospitality of the Zimbabweans, which made our conference go well,” he said.

“We have toured the new look airport and it’s smart and environmentally friendly. I think it reflects a future face of Zimbabwe and will definitely be comfortable for visitors to come through it into the region.”

The delegates appreciated the facility as they marvelled at the designs.

China Jiangsu is carrying out the construction work, which China’s Exim Bank funded through a $150 million concessionary loan facility.

Added Dr Dafalla: “Airport staff confirmed that there is a possibility for further expansion, which means it will market Victoria Falls as an international destination and transform this country. The facility itself will attract tourists to the country as the gateway airport to the region.”

CAAZ general manager Mr David Chaota said they were doing final touches to the construction work with workmen now demolishing and upgrading the old terminal which will be transformed into the domestic terminal.

The fully furnished state-of-the-art international terminal and its new 4km run-way are already operational.

Upgrade works also included a new car park, water tower, fire station, control tower and sewer ponds.