Zimbabwe: New International Airport Proposed For Harare

By Wallace Mawire

Zimbabwe's Minister of Transport and infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona recently announced that government is planning to construct a new international airport at the smart city being developed in Harare.

Mhona made the announcement at the inaugural Uganda Airlines flight launch from Entebbe, Uganda to Harare four times weekly.
Mhona said that the government of Zimbabwe has proposed to convert the recently upgraded Robert Mugabe lnternational in Harare to a domestic terminal airport servicing local aircraft.

However, Mhona could not be drawn to say when the government intends to commence the new airport construction project.
In Zimbabwe, the ‘Zim Cybercity’ is being launched in Mount Hampden, West of the capital Harare. It is a smart city comprising 250 homes, including 80 luxury villas with green spaces, offices and commercial spaces connected to artificial intelligence (AI) as well as a digital transport system. The project is being led by the Zimbabwean Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.

Zimbabwe's main interntional aiport, the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International airport was commissioned by the country's President Emmerson Mnangagwa on 14 July, 2023 at a ceremony graced by thousands of citizens and the Chinese supporting counterparts.

According to Felix Mhona,Minister of Transport and Infrastuctural Development, the expansion of the international terminal building included four aerobridges and four baggage carousels.The project also includes rehabilitation of the domestic terminal building and construction of a short-term car park.

He added that the development project has seen the upgrading of equipment for passenger facilitation such as Flight Information Display Screens, Common User Passenger Processing System, Check-in counters, Baggage Handling equipment, Access Control and Building Management System.

Mhona said that in addition to the work witnessed, three air navigational aids were procured, received and installed at RGMIA commissioned on 29 May 2023, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International in Bulawayo and Masvingo Airport.

'The air navigational aids were in the form of Doppler Very High-Frequency Omni-directional Range (DVOR)/Distance Measuring Equipment (DME)," Mhona said.He said that robust airport infrastructure is pivotal to the economic growth of the country.

At the aunch, Mhona said that aesthetic glamour and attractive splendour of airport infrastructure attracts tourism, leading to other positives such as trade and regional integration and improving the movement of people and goods in a more cost-effective way.

"We will strive to ensure that our airports, roads, railways, inland water courses and other critical infrastructure, meet international standards to promote national development. We also want to take this opportunity to assure you that the aviation sector will move forward with renewed vigour and determination to work towards a prosperous and connected Zimbabwe," Mhona said.

On 23 July 2018, the President officiated at the ground-breaking ceremony to mark the commencement of the modernisation of this Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, which was planned to have been completed by the end of 2021.

Mhona said that unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic occurred and interrupted progress for approximately one and a half years.
He said that the project is an epitome and illustration of the country's prowess in unlocking the value of economic diplomacy for the good of the people.The project was supported through a USD153 million China Exim Bank loan.

The upgraded RG Mugabe International Airport now boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including a new terminal building, expanded runway and enhanced security systems.

Mhona said that these were contained within the project scope which entailed the developments on the airside,expansion of the current apron areas to accommodate four more aero-bridges to handle the longest and widest-bodied aircraft such as Airbus 380, and Boeing 777-300,completion of 1.6Km center portion of the runway, installation of Airfield Ground Lighting,relocation of the satellite fire station, relocation of substation,rehabilitation of existing apron,relocation of the VVIP Pavilion,upgrading of air navigation systems,secondary Surveillance Radar system and supply of two airside buses, four Ambulances and six fire tenders.