Civil Aviation failing to raise $15mln to complete JM Nkomo Airport upgrade

The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) is failing to raise $15 million needed to complete upgrades at the Joshua Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo, over a decade after the renovations began, its spokesperson Anna-Julia Hungwe has said.

The airport was commissioned in December 2013 but the terminal has been undergoing upgrades for over 10 years at a cost of more than $25 million.

Hungwe said that an additional $15 million was needed to complete upgrades at the $30 million international airport but funds have not been secured.

“We need at least $15 million. Air Traffic Control Tower needs $9 million, the fire tender needs $4 million and dualisation of the access road requires $2 million. (However), funds have not been secured,” she said.

Hungwe said the CAAZ’s role, among others, is to develop, maintain and market airports infrastructure and “this applies to all our airports in Zimbabwe including the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport”.

The airport has the capacity to handle 1.5 million passengers annually when complete.

Only three airlines, South Africa Airlink, FlyAfrica and Air Zimbabwe use the airport. SA Airlink and FlyAfrica ply the Bulawayo-Johannesburg route daily.

Air Zimbabwe flies to Harare and the resort town of Victoria Falls.-The Source

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