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Nomusa Mdukuzi Chronicle Reporter
THE official opening of the new Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport terminal building has opened avenues for Bulawayo to have a direct flight to Europe, a Cabinet Minister has said.In an interview on the sidelines of a tree planting event in Ntabazinduna on Monday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Dr Obert Mpofu said efforts were under way to resume direct flights from Bulawayo to Europe starting from next year.
“We are working hard towards the idea of having a direct flight from Bulawayo to Europe before the end of next year,” Dr Mpofu told Chronicle.
He expressed gratitude to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Cde Patrick Chinamasa for including them in the 2014 budget.
“We are grateful to Cde Chinamasa who included us in the 2014 budget. With this we strongly believe the air transport sector will develop,” said Dr Mpofu.
He said Air Zimbabwe was also planning to explore new routes like the Bulawayo to Angola in a bid to expand business and increase traffic into the City of Kings.
Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ)’s chief executive officer David Chawota confirmed the development.
“Of late we never had a direct flight from Bulawayo to Europe. The international airport only received charter flights from Europe but not scheduled flights,” Chawota said.
“We have three international airports and they are all open to any flight. Anyone who wants to use them will be welcome as we will also be marketing Zimbabwe.”
Dr Mpofu said his ministry was also working on plans to develop the entire transport network including rehabilitation of roads.
“Plans to rehabilitate roads are under way and very soon tenders to work on the Bulawayo-Vic Falls road and many other roads will be invited,” he said.
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