by Dorcas Rumano
The Government is working towards the establishment of commercial airports in Manicaland and Matabeleland South as a way of promoting tourism and trade in the country through new technologies, a Cabinet Minister has revealed.
Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony of the expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe (RGM) International Airport in Harare today, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Dr Joram Gumbo said his Ministry was planning to upgrade some local small airports as well as setting up commercial airports in these two provinces.
Minister Gumbo said, “…there are plans to upgrade airport infrastructure at Charles Prince Airport , Buffalo Range Airport and Kariba Airport, in addition to refurbishing existing facilities at Masvingo and Hwange Airports.”
He added, “My Ministry through the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe will also be establishing commercial airports in Mutare and Beitbridge, with the sites having been identified.”
Minister Gumbo said the ground breaking ceremony of the extension of RGM International Airport by President Mnangagwa was a signal of the first steps for the airport to reclaim its position in the region and beyond.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development also noted that the rehabilitation of RGM International Airport will also include construction of three additional aero bridges, a new satellite fire station, a modern terminal building and a new VVIP pavilion.
Dr Gumbo said upon completion of expansion the RGM International Airport, the project would boost both the numbers of passengers and aircraft movement.
“It is our belief that once the upgraded facility is in place, it will play a stimulus role in growing both passenger and aircraft movement,” he said.
Speaking during the same occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Huang Ping said great changes had been brought by the new dispensation, and this includes the rise of the tourism sector.
The ground breaking ceremony of the expansion of RGM International Airport was attended by a number of senior Government officials and local business people.
