adminLeonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) has said the new look multi-million dollar Victoria Falls International Airport will be ready for commissioning by September. CAAZ initiated a $150m airport expansion project in February 2013 to boost tourism in Victoria Falls.
The project includes the construction of a 4 000m runway, expansion of the existing runway, construction of a new terminal building, and an inside road network and car parks at the airport.
It also includes the construction of a new fire station and control tower at the airport.
The new terminal will be used for international flights while the existing terminal will be converted to domestic use.
A visit to the airport showed that the contractor had started mounting a roofing structure.
CAAZ general manager Mr David Chawota said the airside was 90 percent complete while the terminal was now at 65 percent progress.
“Construction is at an advanced stage. The runway is about 90 percent complete and we are left with delivery and installation of some items such as associated instrument landing systems. The terminal is also coming out well and is at 65 percent with the roof being done on the main structure while the concrete work has been completed,” said Mr Chawota.
He said after the brickwork and roof structure, workmen would start on systems such as air conditioning, electrics and escalators to go into the terminal building.
Also under construction is a new control tower which the CAAZ general manager said should be ready in time for work to start on the existing runway.
“Work on the current runway will not start until the new runway is completed. The control tower has to be there earlier. We expect commissioning of the new runway in July and we are within schedule. In terms of the totality of the project we are well above the halfway mark and by September we should be having a new airport,” he said.
China-Exim Bank is financing the project.
The airport expansion is expected to increase its passenger handling capacity to about two million passengers a year.
The new runway will be able to accommodate wide-body aircraft, such as Airbus A340, Boeing 777 and Boeing 747.
Meanwhile, a number of airlines have expressed interest in flying into the new look facility, a development that will increase receipts for tourism.
Online Reporter