Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve
A US$2,5 million Zambezi Helicopter Company Helipad has been officially opened in Victoria Falls by Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, who described it as a game-changer for Zimbabwe’s aviation and tourism industries.
The colourful ceremony, which was held on Wednesday at the new facility in the Chinotimba Industrial Area, was attended by senior Government officials, tourism executives and community representatives, underscoring the project’s cross-sectoral importance.
Minister Mhona was joined by Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi and Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo.
The terminal building features a plush lounge, café and briefing rooms, offering guests panoramic views of the spray from the mighty Victoria Falls before their scenic flights even begin.
The complex includes three operational helipads, an administrative block, a helicopter hangar and a 34 000-litre Jet A1 fuel storage facility, alongside an approved Helicopter Maintenance Organisation that ensures technical compliance with global aviation standards.
Minister Mhona described the development as a cornerstone in the country’s economic transformation, linking it directly to the Government’s infrastructure-led growth agenda.
“This ceremony marks not only the inauguration of world-class aviation facilities by Zambezi Helicopters and the tourism industry, but also a milestone for Zimbabwe’s continued journey towards aviation excellence, economic recovery, transformation and sustainable development,” he said.
Minister Mhona commended Zambezi Helicopter Company for its leadership.
In addition to the helipad, the company had doubled its helicopter fleet from four to eight, bringing the total investment to US$9 million.
“This financial commitment and technical expertise have produced a modern, safe, efficient and well-equipped hub that serves as a clear statement of investor confidence in Zimbabwe’s future,” he said.
Minister Mhona also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to uphold aviation safety and security standards, pledging close monitoring through the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe.
“This significant boost gives the aviation and tourism industry a huge facelift and increases employment opportunities for the local community,” he said.
“This financial commitment and technical expertise have produced a modern, safe, secure, efficient and well-equipped hub that will not only serve the needs of our aviation sector, but will stand as a clear statement of investor confidence in the future of Zimbabwe.”
Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi said the new helipad reinforces the country’s growing reputation as a prime regional destination, signalling investor confidence and aligning with Vision 2030.
“This infrastructure speaks volumes about the confidence investors have in Zimbabwe. We want more partners to come in, especially here in Victoria Falls, and our goal is to make this city the next Cape Town by 2030,” she said.
Tourism, she said, was the fastest-growing sector in 2024, contributing significantly to the country’s gross domestic product.
As a result of the new helipad, the company had increased its workforce from five to 60 employees.
Shearwater Group chief executive officer Mr Allan Roberts, whose company owns Zambezi Helicopters, said the investment was inspired by growth in the tourism sector and a desire to set a new benchmark.
“The business is growing, tourism is growing. We also wanted to set a new standard and try and take tourism facilities and aviation facilities to a new standard. So, the facility you see here is world-class; it can serve over a hundred thousand people a year,” he said.
“We really wanted to build something which would take us into the next chapter of our growth and add value to the tourism industry and try and establish Zimbabwe as a world-class tourism destination.”
Minister Richard Moyo commended the project’s positive impact on local employment and regional development, describing it as a tangible outcome of devolution and private-sector collaboration.
Victoria Falls — now designated a Special Economic Zone and Zimbabwe’s tourism capital — continues to attract major infrastructure investments.
The new helipad complements other aviation upgrades, including the expansion of Victoria Falls International Airport, and supports the Government’s strategy to make the resort a regional air connectivity hub for Southern Africa.
