New look Vic Falls airport to be ready by September

Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) says the new look multi-million dollar Victoria Falls International Airport will be ready for commissioning in September.

CAAZ initiated a $150 million airport expansion project in February 2013 to boost international tourist arrivals in the country’s prime resort town.

The project includes the construction of a 4,000m runway, expansion of the existing runway, construction of a new terminal building, and the construction of an inside road network and car parks at the airport.

The project also covers the construction of a new fire station and control tower.

The new terminal will be used for international flights while the existing terminal will be for domestic use.

CAAZ general manager David Chaota recently said the runaway was 90 percent complete while the terminal was now 65 percent complete.

“Construction is at an advanced stage. The runway is about 90 percent complete and we’re left with delivery and installation of some items such as associated instrument landing systems. The terminal is also coming out well and is 65 percent complete with the roof being done on the main structure while the concrete work has been completed,” he said.

“Work on the old 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’re within schedule. In terms of totality of the project we’re well above halfway mark and by September we should be having a new airport,” said Chaota.

The government is financing the project with the support from China-Exim Bank.

The airport expansion is expected to increase passenger handling capacity to about two million a year. The new runway will be able to accommodate wide-body aircraft, such as the Airbus A340, Boeing 777 and Boeing 747.