Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo
Zimpapers Business Hub
A Boeing 787-800 aircraft made its first-ever landing at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport yesterday, marking a milestone for Zimbabwe’s aviation industry and demonstrating the facility’s capacity to handle large aircraft.
The Ethiopian Airlines charter plane touched down at 1300 hours to a traditional water cannon salute, carrying the South Africa Under-19 cricket team (Proteas U19) to the ICC Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by Zimbabwe and Namibia.
In an interview, Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) director of operations, Mr Charles Nyoni, said this was a significant development for the country and sector, saying that this is an opportunity to bring playloads to Bulawayo, helping grow the economy.
“We want to exploit this opportunity so that we sustain this kind of operation,” said Mr Nyoni.
“We are looking forward to engaging with Ethiopian Airlines to come up with a plan in terms of how we can ensure that we sustain this kind of level we saw today.”
The country’s growing aviation industry is testimony to the positive impact of Zimbabwe’s Open Skies Policy, which enhances its attractiveness to potential investors and tourists.
When the Second Republic came into power in 2017, just three airlines flew into the country.
Mr Nyoni said the Boeing 787-800 charter flight’s landing in Bulawayo was evidence of ACZ’s investments into aviation infrastructure, noting that proper facilities encourage aviation activities.
“This is something we are proud of as a company and one we want to sustain because our thrust is to ensure that we build on the infrastructure that we are putting in terms of accommodating traffic into Zimbabwe and allow players to bring in the type of equipment that they want to use at any given time,” said Mr Nyoni.
“We don’t want to put restrictions on the type of equipment that they bring into the country. What it means, obviously, is that bigger aircraft mean more passengers, more cargo, and also the economic activities are enhanced.”
Ethiopian Airlines expressed gratitude, saying their Boeing 787-800 charter flight had landed successfully in Bulawayo.
