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Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]

THE Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) requires US$88 million for infrastructure development that includes building and refurbishing airports as well as buying relevant aviation equipment in the 2025 financial year.

Airport infrastructure development is one of the top priorities in facilitating the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe and globally.

Modern airports play a vital role in the tourism sector by boosting arrivals. The upgrading of airports is being undertaken by the ACZ with guidance from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, and it is part of some of the flagship projects being implemented by the Government.

Under the Second Republic, Government is prioritising high-impact projects in line with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).

Airports earmarked for upgrade include Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, Victoria Falls International Airport, Hwange Airport and Kariba Airports.

The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development is of the view that Private Public Partnerships (PPPs) should be used in the building of such aviation-related infrastructure.

“A good example is the Istanbul Airport expansion project where a consortium was not just awarded the tender to build the airport but was obliged to pay the government 26,142 billion euros including value-added tax for a 25-year lease.

“If such contracts can be made possible in Zimbabwe, the funds paid to the Government by the private partner can be used to build the Prince Charles International Airport in Mt Hampden,” said the committee in its submission on the 2025 national budget.

According to the Transport Ministry and Infrastructural; Development, JM Nkomo International Airport needs an extension of the runway to accommodate larger aircraft and improve aviation infrastructure.

The taxiway and apron fire station construction and installation of airfield ground lighting are part of the works planned, costing US$18 million.

Named after the late Vice President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, the airport features two runways, one measuring 2 588 metres long and 45 metres wide.

A new uplift catering facility and runway at Victoria Falls International Airport requires US$11 million while a taxiway and apron rehabilitation for Hwange Airport is pegged at US$20 million.

Hwange National Park Airport was opened in 1971 after the completion of its construction, which had started in 1969. The airport serves as a gateway into Hwange National Park, the country’s largest national park, which is home to the Big Five.

According to ACZ, the runway is 4 600 metres long and 30 metres wide and can handle a Boeing 737-200 aircraft or equivalent.

Grand Reef Airport runway, taxiway and apron extension of new terminal building complete with control tower will require US$15 million.