Staff Reporter
The US$150 million Robert Gabriel Mugabe International (RGMI) Airport expansion project is now complete and would be handed over to the Airports Company of Zimbabwe next month.
The project is setting the tone for massive transformation in the aviation and tourism sectors. This would contribute tremendously towards multilateral engagement and make Zimbabwe a tourism and investment destination of choice.
In an interview with this publication the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Airports Company of Zimbabwe, Mr Tawanda Gusha said that the airport was now complete although a few finishing touches remain in preparation for the handover of the project which would be done on the 15th of next month.
“The airport is now complete save for just a few touches here or there that are being completed. Our goal is that the contractor will hand over the project by the 15th of June to the Airports Company of Zimbabwe and the new terminals will be in use by then,” said Gusha.
The airport now has a passenger annual handling capacity of six million passengers in addition to several modern ancillary facilities such as the VIP pavilion
The project which started in 2018 also comes with four additional bridges and an expanded apron to accommodate more aircraft enabling the airport to compete with other airports on the continent in terms of size.
“The airport will accommodate more aircraft in line with increased passenger holding capacity hence the apron has been expanded while an additional four bridges have been constructed.
“The project has progressed quite well though there were Covid-19 disruptions which slowed progress but the Government has indeed provided the much-needed support which has seen the project progressing well,” said Guzha.
For fitness fanatic travellers, a gym has been installed while prayerful travellers will be accommodated in prayer rooms among other features which include salons, coffee bars and a children’s play centre at the airport.
