Story by Stanley James, Business Editor
ZIMBABWE’S airports recorded a 19 % surge in passenger traffic flows last year driven by the government’s upgrading and refurbishment of the ports of entry.
Data from the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) released to the ZBC News this Tuesday shows that air passenger volumes rose to over two million last year from around 1.9 million in 2023.
The data, which is showing a promising outlook for Zimbabwe’s aviation sector shows an over five percent growth in air traffic movements compared to 2023.
As a result of increased trade, the country’s airports also experienced growth in terms of cargo volumes to over 17 tonnes compared to around 15 tonnes in 2023, with more volumes being recorded in the last quarter.
The international and domestic airports in Zimbabwe also witnessed huge milestones driven by the influx of new airlines, new routes and increased flights.
Economists contend that Zimbabwe’s airport upgrades and development strategies are yielding the intended goals of attracting increased business and traffic flows.
“There is that appetite for the airlines to come and operate in the country, this is mainly arising from the fact that the government did actually set its priorities right by focusing on the expansion of the industry, such a development has therefore positively propelled the traffic flows. It is also prudent to note that going forward, the surge in air traffic passenger flows will have multiplier effects in terms of increasing investments and also creating more opportunities for growth in the short to long term,” Development Economist, Dr Prosper Chitambara said.
“What is needed is that element towards the continuous upgrading of the airports in line with the global standards, to further accelerate growth and ensure the current gains continue for the benefit of the nation. Remember Zimbabwe is now a global village meaning that the local airports should meet the needs of the global market thereby sustaining growth and consolidating the current gains,” a University of Zimbabwe Business Studies Lecturer, Dr Nyasha Kaseke said.
“Such statistics are vital for the nation as they give economic planners the true reality pertaining to the journey towards revival of the aviation sector including modalities on what can be done to increase growth by identifying challenges.”
Some of the key takeaways from the report include a projected increase in air traffic flows at airports, an anticipated rise in foreign tourist arrivals, and more expansion projects at the airports.
Easing of Jet A1 fuel costs on the global market, a return to stable economies and increased international cooperation are factors also cited by CAAZ as expected to spur the viability of the aviation industry.
