By Abigail Mawonde
The new-look $150 million state-of-the-art Victoria Falls International Airport, whose expansion was funded by the China Exim Bank, is expected to be officially opened on Sunday.
Speaking during celebrations to mark the International Civil Aviation Day in Harare on Friday, CAAZ chief executive officer Mr David Chawota said the airport was operationalised recently.
“As an organisation, of course being prompted by our obliging shareholder, we have also made commendable strides in developing our infrastructure as witnessed by the recent operationalisation of the state-of-the-art Victoria Falls Airport project.
“As I speak, the facility has been operationalised, ready for official opening in December 2015,” said Mr Chawota.
Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Joram Gumbo toured the facility end of October and expressed satisfaction with progress registered then.
The airport has a 4km runway and a new international terminal building.
Its facelift included upgrading the domestic terminal building and construction of a new fire station and new control tower.
The runway was successfully tested including all the civil works.
The Victoria Falls International Airport is expected to become the gateway to Central and Southern Africa boosting tourism.
Mr Chawota also spoke about the sprucing up of other airports across the country.
“Our Public Private Partnership venture in the Lowveld with Tongaat Hullett and Malilangwe Trust has yielded a sparkling Buffalo Range terminal facility. The handover ceremony took place on 27 November 2015. It our prayer that this kind of development co-operation is sustainable as envisaged by our Zim-Asset blueprint.”
CAAZ’s vision is to be the regional hub of world-class aviation services by the end of 2020.
Speaking at the same occasion, Transport and Infrastructure Development Deputy Minister Michael Madanha said aviation enables connectivity and offers global opportunities.
“Aviation enables connectivity, hence the global opportunities, and its impact permeates throughout the economy through movement of goods, tourists and people to all places within the shortest period of time.
“This needs to be complemented by good aviation infrastructure. However, due to budgetary constraints over the years, the development of aviation infrastructure has been gradual and this calls for the support of all the industry players,” he said.
Deputy Minister Madanha said the ministry encourages public-private sector partnerships.
“We are therefore happy and encouraged by the recent commissioning of refurbished Buffalo Range Airport, which is a testimony of a successful partnership with the private sector,” he said.
Deputy Minister Madanha said Government was exploring ways to further develop the aviation industry in the country.
“Plans are at an advanced stage to separate the regulatory arm of the authority (CAAZ) from commercial operations. This will not only resolve the inherent conflict of interest in the current arrangement, but will also facilitate better implementation and management of aviation operations.” The Herald