Staff Reporter

….as he toured the RGM International Airport

Today (yesterday) President Emmerson Mnangagwa made a tour of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, where he exalted the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and other stakeholders for the good work they are doing.

In his speech at the RGM international airport, President Mnangagwa thanked Zimbabwe’s all weather friend, China, for its unwavering support despite sanction imposed against Zimbabwe.

“The unwavering support from the People's Republic of China remains a show of confidence in our economic development trajectory. We are not worried about those who get angry because China has helped us.  We will continue to develop our country,” said the President.

Making a scoff at the people who are constantly questioning his travels, President Mnangagwa said it was his wish that the airport once complete will attract traffic from both tourists and other foreign airlines.

“The epistle of this (project) and other airlines into our skies, must translate into increased inbound and outbound passengers and tourist arrivals and exponential growth of export cargo.

“It is my anticipation that we will be able to attract more airlines and increase frequency of existing ones when this project is completed,” the President said.

President Mnangagwa further advised the Ministry of Transport to double their effort to ensure a high quality facility with the agreed time frames.

On completion, the Robert Gabriel Mugabe Airport expansion project will increase the airport's holding capacity to 6 million people per annum from the current 2.5 million.

Meanwhile, an up to date progress report states that runway civil works are complete; runway Edge lights installation is complete; current work on approach lights centre line lights and sub station Terminal building concrete works are at 85 percent complete; Curtain walling installation is still in progress; Painting underway in Arrivals area; Roof installation 60 percent complete and Equipment procurement is still underway.  On completion the expansion project will add a new international terminal building, 4 new bridges; secondary radar system; VVIP pavilion; airfield ground lighting and communication system

The US$153 million expansion project is being undertaken by China Jiangsu International and is expected to be completed by June 2022.