dyton mupawaenda
The expanded Robert Gabriel Mugabe (RGM) International Airport will be commissioned this month, marking the conclusion of one of the Second Republic’s signature infrastructure development projects. Project contractor China Jiangsu International is set to hand over the new airport building to the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ), ahead of commissioning on July 13. The Sunday Mail’s TANYARADZWA RUSIKE (TR) spoke to ACZ chief executive officer Mr TAWANDA GUSHA (TG) on the project, as well as efforts to revitalise other airports around the country.
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TR: Can you give an update on the progress of the RGM International Airport expansion project?
TG: The work so far has been quite pleasing, with the project being 99 percent complete in terms of the extension, and now a few touch-ups are being done as we wait for the commissioning on July 13.
TR: What exactly did the expansion project entail?
TG: The airport will now have the capacity to handle six million passengers annually, from the current 2,5 million.
The work involved rehabilitation of the existing international and domestic terminal buildings, and installation of four additional aerobridges, one with the capacity of handling A380 aircraft.
We have also installed additional baggage carousels, check-in counters, baggage-handling equipment, access control and a baggage-monitoring system.
There was also the construction of a new fire station and relocation of the satellite fire station, in addition to the upgrading of equipment for passenger facilitation (flight information display systems and common use passenger processing system).
We also constructed a new VIP pavilion, rehabilitated the existing apron and improved the runway lighting and taxiways.
The new airport also caters for travellers by offering them a wide range of facilities such as a gym, prayer rooms, saloons,
coffee bars, children’s play centre and a pharmacy.
TR: We understand the old domestic terminal is also set to undergo massive rehabilitation. What is the scope of this project?
TG: Yes, there is going to be the rehabilitation of the building itself, including the roof, walls and floors, as well as other facilities such as offices, kitchens and toilets.
TR: A new radar system was installed as part of the expansion project. What is the importance of this development and how is it going to improve air travel safety in the country?
TG: The radar will help us to detect, in real-time, aircraft that pass through our airspace.
TR: Tell us about the current state of the other smaller airports in the country?
TG: At Buffalo Range, we are planning to improve the aprons on the runway.
At Hwange, the terminal is being upgraded and almost complete.
Also, at Buffalo Range International Airport, the runway rehabilitation project was completed in 2021, following the rehabilitation of the terminal building in 2016 through a private-public partnership (PPP) arrangement.
At Charles Prince Airport, work is in progress on the construction of an information and communication technology (ICT) recovery room and offices.
Negotiations are now at an advanced stage for the completion of a public-private partnership agreement for Masvingo and Kariba airports rehabilitation.
We have been receiving new air services around the country and are determined to match the forecast demand with our capacity, as well as improve our services to match world standards.
TR: What sort of financing model are you using to fund all this work?
TG: Self-financing and PPP arrangements, where applicable.
TR: ACZ recently announced that the country’s airports are operating at an average 27 percent capacity utilisation. What strategies are you employing to boost capacity?
TG: As a result of improved international relations and our all-inclusive participation in the Zimbabwe is open for business drive, the Airports Company of Zimbabwe embarked on a business development drive that entails route development initiatives (luring airlines to utilise underserved routes); destination marketing participation (marketing Zimbabwe at tourism and investment forums); collaborations with airlines and other airports in marketing Zimbabwe in regional markets; and rehabilitation and expansion of airport infrastructure, including making the infrastructure usable and attractive.
TR: Can you also outline what ACZ’s cooperation with the International Finance Corporation and the World Bank seeks to achieve in terms of delivering more business to your airports?
TG: ACZ piloted the Air Service Development Assistance Programme with the International Finance Corporation, which has since engaged a route development consultant and has managed to lure several international and regional airlines into Harare and Victoria Falls.
In addition, the programme brought about significant expansion of routes by existing airlines.
The collaboration was meant to unlock barriers across the tourism and transport sectors that can hinder growth in air connectivity.
TR: We understand there are plans to develop a hotel and other amenities at the Victoria Falls International Airport. Can you give us a bit of information regarding that development?
TG: Plans are underway for the development. ACZ tendered for consultancy services to produce masterplans for the three main airports, namely, Robert Gabriel Mugabe, Victoria Falls and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo international airports, situated in Harare, Victoria Falls and Bulawayo, respectively.
The tender process is expected to be complete by October 2023.
However, in the interim, the ACZ is pursuing several commercial projects at these three airports, with the understanding that the developments would then be integrated in the respective masterplans.
TR: There have been cases of land disputes around some of your airports. Can you outline what you have done to resolve these?
TG: Land around the airports in Zimbabwe has been reserved by the Government for airport expansion and aviation-related businesses.
ACZ is working well with the Government for allocation of such land after submitting the usage plans.
TR: You have been chief executive of ACZ for almost two years now. What has been your management’s biggest achievement so far?
TG: I have been leading notable infrastructural projects, including the RGM International Airport development project set to be commissioned on July 13.
I spearheaded the Buffalo Range Airport runway and taxiway rehabilitation project in 2021.
Also, I have led the Hwange terminal building refurbishment project that will be completed this year.
On the business development projects side, my team has been leading business development initiatives geared towards growing both aeronautical and non-aeronautical revenue streams.
Notably, we piloted the Air Service Development Assistance Programme with the International Finance Corporation, which has since engaged a route development consultant and has managed to lure several international and regional airlines into Harare and Victoria Falls over the last 18 months.
In addition, the programme brought about significant expansion of routes by existing airlines.
I am currently chairing the Victoria Falls Air Service Development Committee meant to develop air services into Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta.
On June 14, my team went to the Africa Aviation Development Forum to present real estate opportunities the country has to offer in terms of airport precinct land.
TR: What sort of challenges have you faced over that period?
TG: Covid-19 and its dire consequences completely closed the industry for a year.
Therefore, we have learnt not to rely on aeronautical revenue only, and that is why we are embarking on a drive to grow non-aeronautical revenue.
Twitter: @tdrusike
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter