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Yoliswa Dube, Features Reporter
THE $30 million state-of-the-art Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport opened to the travelling public in November, 2013, receiving its first arrivals from a domestic flight.

Originally known as Bulawayo Airport, it was renamed in honour of Dr Nkomo.

The then Minister of Transport and Infrastructural  Development, Dr Obert Mpofu and the Minister of State for Bulawayo Province, Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, together with officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) toured the facility during its opening.

The chief executive officer and general manager of CAAZ, Mr David Chiwota, said the new terminal at the JMN International Airport had a capacity to handle an average of 6,000 aircraft movements per year and 10 planes at any given time.

He said with the new infrastructure, they anticipated a steady increase in tourist arrivals as more airliners were likely to be attracted to the facility.

“This new development is important for tourism growth and our hope is that more airline companies will start landing at JMN International Airport since the facility is now of world class. We’ve created four boarding gates and an enclosed viewing canopy overlooking the runway and it’s the only airport in Zimbabwe with that facility,” said Mr Chiwota.

The airport has a parking area which can accommodate 400 cars at any given time.

The airport has a capacity to handle 1.5 million passengers per year. The facility features all the requisite safety systems, security systems and ambience characteristic of a modern airport.