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The Rhodesia Herald,
January 19, 1979
MOUNT Hampden Airport – 10 miles from Salisbury – is the busiest in Rhodesia.
There is no spacious terminal building bustling with foreigners, there are no screaming jets, but the small aerodrome’s estimated 90 000 aircraft movements a year make it the busiest in the country.
Yesterday was an average day – planes were constantly landing and taking off, most of them flown by learners having flying lessons.
“Mount Hampden’s growth in the last few years has been phenomenal,” commented Mr John Cragg, of the Department of Civil Aviation.
“In the last six years, there has been a 100 percent increase in the number of operators establishing themselves at the airport. Today there are seven aircraft operating, or maintenance firms here and also the Mashonaland Flying Club. There are other concerns interested in establishing bases at Mount Hampden too.
“The system we have is a very good one, with Mount Hampden as a satellite airport, handling most of the light aircraft type of general aviation and the main Salisbury Airport catering for scheduled flights and the larger aircraft operators.
“In fact, America is finding now that it should have used this system. The main airports there are so crowded and busy today that they have either had to ban general aviation or put up fees to dissuade light aircraft from using the scheduled flight airports.”
Mount Hampden is expanding fast. The second runway was tarred last year and a taxi track laid. Included in the development plan for the next three years are a customs building and apron, and large extensions to aprons by hangars. A permanent runway lighting system is also on the cards, but has yet to be approved. At any time of the day, there will be about 30 light aircraft parked at the aerodrome. The traffic at Mount Hampden is mostly private, contract or charter flights and training flights.
It is an international airport and customs officials are on duty there permanently from sunrise to sunset.
On any one shift, the control tower is manned by the air traffic controller, his assistant and a briefing officer.
When the 400-acre airport ground were fenced off more than 10 years ago, a few small buck were trapped inside. Today they live in peaceful co-existence with the aircraft and airport users. They have multiplied – there are now about 13 – and have become domesticated to airport life.
The buck wander fearlessly over the runways, and although they move out of the way for the planes, they stand at the side of the tar and watch them go by.
“There was one buck,” said controller Mr. Joe Veronnea,” that used to stand right on the edge of the runway when a plane was taxiing and just duck its head a bit when the plane’s wing went over it.”
LESSONS FOR TODAY
The colonialists’ initial choice for a capital city, was Mount Hampden. That city status is now on the comeback with the Second Republic.
With the construction of a new Parliament and other developmental projects, the town’s former glory days will be realised.
The aviation industry is an economic generator.
There is an important link between an airport and a community’s economic vitality.
Aviation provides the only worldwide transportation network, which makes it essential for global business and tourism.
Air transport is one of the world’s most important industries. Its development and technical and service achievements make it one of the greatest contributors to the advancement of modern society.
By facilitating tourism, air transportation also helps generate economic growth and alleviate poverty – providing employment opportunities, increasing revenue from taxes and fostering the conservation of protected areas.
Online Reporter