Story by Stanley James
ZIMBABWE’S airports are attracting more global airlines and have recorded an over 10 percent rise in passenger traffic.
According to the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ), the country’s ports of entry handled over 1.8 million passengers in the first eight months of this year, compared to 1.6 million passengers during the same period last year.
International passengers dominated the statistics, reflecting a rebound in terms of global business confidence.
Regulatory authorities are upbeat over the inflow of more airlines to Zimbabwe.
“This year has seen quite a commendable number of airlines coming to Zimbabwe and this has cemented the country’s destination as safe and viable, with the surge in passenger traffic bearing testimony of measures or interventions being put in place to bolster confidence,” Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe’s Director General, Mr George Mashababe noted.
ACZ Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tawanda Gusha attributed the passenger growth milestones to government’s interventions in upgrading airports.
“A lot has happened in as much as the refurbishment of airports is concerned, so this is basically the benefits arising from the government support initiatives as well as measures to spur confidence in the aviation industry,” he said.
Travel agents are expecting increased passenger traffic volumes during the last quarter of this year.
“The last quarter always brings exciting times for the industry and riding on what we have accumulated so far, there is that general sentiment that it will be the most viable period. So as an industry, we are geared for that as the nation braces for a much busier festive period,” Past Chairperson of the Association of Zimbabwe Travel Agents, Mr Ignatius Matungamire stated.
The rise in passenger volumes or traffic at Zimbabwe’s airports is being recorded when the nation was recently named the 2025 world’s best country to visit by Forbes Magazine.
