In an update to our previous article on the upgrade of Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) in Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwean Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Walter Mzembi, has announced the signing of a USD$150 million loan facility between the Zimbabwean Government and the China EXIM Bank, to supplement funds already availed last month to get the works off the ground.
So far, the only real work done has been by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) which has laid pipes that will take water to the airport from the Zambezi River during the construction period, that is now expected to move head in 2 months time.
"The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe is also expected to pay a fee of US$2,4 million dollars to the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) and the project is expected to incorporate the expansion of the airport runway, terminal, immigration, customs and radar control points.
Victoria Falls Airport (Alannah Eames)
The expansion of the airport will see bigger and wide-bodied aircraft such as the Airbus A340 and the Boeing 777 flying directly into the resort town, making it more accessible to the outside world."
Last year, Minister Mzembi said it was his intention to try and lure large international carriers to Victoria Falls, amongst them Emirates, British Airways, Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic, in preparation for next year's United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly, to be held in Victoria Falls.