Online Reporter
Sikhulekelani Moyo, [email protected]
BULAWAYO yesterday made aviation history when a Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner touched down at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, becoming the first aircraft of its kind to land at the facility — a milestone that underscores the airport’s growing capacity to handle wide-body aircraft.
The Ethiopian Airlines charter flight, which arrived at 1PM, received a traditional water cannon salute. On board was the South Africa Under-19 cricket team (Proteas U19), in the country for the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup, which Zimbabwe is co-hosting with Namibia.
The landmark arrival has been hailed as a major boost to Bulawayo’s aviation profile and a reflection of ongoing investment in airport infrastructure.
In an interview, Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) director of operations, Mr Charles Nyoni, described the development as a significant opportunity for the city.
“This is a very big development. It creates an opportunity to bring in more players into Bulawayo, which in turn helps to grow the local economy,” he said.
Mr Nyoni said ACZ intends to build on the milestone by engaging Ethiopian Airlines to sustain similar operations.
“We want to exploit this opportunity so that we sustain this kind of operation. We are looking forward to engaging Ethiopian Airlines to come up with a plan on how we can ensure that we maintain the level we saw today,” he said.
The landing of the Dreamliner also highlights the impact of Zimbabwe’s Open Skies Policy, which has liberalised airspace access and boosted the country’s appeal to international airlines, investors and tourists.
Before the advent of the Second Republic in 2017, only three airlines were utilising Zimbabwe’s airspace. Since then, the number has steadily increased as Government intensifies aviation reforms and infrastructure upgrades.
Mr Nyoni said the successful handling of the Boeing 787-800 demonstrates the progress ACZ has made in strengthening airport facilities.
“The coming of this charter flight speaks to the efforts we are putting into infrastructure. Proper facilities encourage aviation activity. This is something we are proud of as a company and one we want to sustain.
“Our thrust is to build on the infrastructure we are putting in place so that we accommodate traffic into Zimbabwe and allow operators to bring in the type of equipment they want to use at any given time,” he said.
He added that accommodating larger aircraft carries wider economic benefits.
“We do not want to put restrictions on the type of equipment airlines bring into the country. Bigger aircraft mean more passengers, more cargo and enhanced economic activity,” he said.
Ethiopian Airlines also welcomed the successful operation, describing the charter flight as a landmark achievement.
“We scheduled a charter flight for the first time to Bulawayo, using the Boeing 787-800 aircraft.
“We are really glad for this occasion, and it was successfully accomplished,” said Ethiopian Airlines traffic and sales manager, Ms Hawani Amanuel.
The Airports Company of Zimbabwe operates a network of eight airports, strategically positioned to provide swift and direct access to major tourist destinations and key trade centres across the country.
Zimbabwe’s aviation industry is experiencing a strong resurgence, driven by significant infrastructure investment, expanding airline connectivity and renewed aviation diplomacy — positioning the sector as a critical driver of tourism growth and broader economic recovery.
