…surpasses 2018 by
122 plane landings
122 plane landings
Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – Year 2019 has so far
recorded a notable increase in air traffic movement at Buffalo Range International
Airport as compared to 2018, with the arrival of chartered planes signaling an
improving tourism industry.
recorded a notable increase in air traffic movement at Buffalo Range International
Airport as compared to 2018, with the arrival of chartered planes signaling an
improving tourism industry.
Travellers are mainly
tourists visiting Malilangwe Trust Conservancy, Save Valley Conservancy, and Gonarezhou
National Park.
tourists visiting Malilangwe Trust Conservancy, Save Valley Conservancy, and Gonarezhou
National Park.
A significant number of
travellers are also Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe (THZ)’s business partners.
travellers are also Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe (THZ)’s business partners.
Civil Aviation Authority of
Zimbabwe (CAAZ) corporate public relations and communications officer Anna
Julia Hungwe told TellZim News the period between January and July 2019 had
seen a marked rise in the arrival of international guests compared to the same
period last year.
Zimbabwe (CAAZ) corporate public relations and communications officer Anna
Julia Hungwe told TellZim News the period between January and July 2019 had
seen a marked rise in the arrival of international guests compared to the same
period last year.
She said 641 planes have landed
at the airport so far this year compared 519 planes that landed during the same
period last year.
at the airport so far this year compared 519 planes that landed during the same
period last year.
“Capacity of planes is
not easy to determine given that there are no scheduled services at Buffalo
Range Airport. All movements at the airport are charter services hence they
change equipment depending on the demands of the day. Traffic is dominated by
tourists and people engaging in business,” said Hungwe.
not easy to determine given that there are no scheduled services at Buffalo
Range Airport. All movements at the airport are charter services hence they
change equipment depending on the demands of the day. Traffic is dominated by
tourists and people engaging in business,” said Hungwe.
In January 2019, 44 planes
with 128 passengers landed at Buffalo Range Airport while 36 landed in February
bringing in 69 passengers.
with 128 passengers landed at Buffalo Range Airport while 36 landed in February
bringing in 69 passengers.
March saw 71 planes with 70
passengers, April had 65 planes with 80 passengers, May had 114 planes with 264
passengers, June had 159 with 395 passengers and July came with 152 planes
carrying 438 passengers.
passengers, April had 65 planes with 80 passengers, May had 114 planes with 264
passengers, June had 159 with 395 passengers and July came with 152 planes
carrying 438 passengers.
Buffalo Range Airport ranks
fourth in the country in terms of passenger volumes; with Robert Gabriel Mugabe,
Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and Victoria Falls International Airport coming first,
second and third respectively.
fourth in the country in terms of passenger volumes; with Robert Gabriel Mugabe,
Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo and Victoria Falls International Airport coming first,
second and third respectively.
In 2015, the airport’s
terminal building received a facelift made possible by a Public Private Partnership
undertaken by the CAAZ, Malilangwe Trust and THZ.
terminal building received a facelift made possible by a Public Private Partnership
undertaken by the CAAZ, Malilangwe Trust and THZ.
She said plans were being
made for further upgrades of the airport to improve capacity of the runway and
other facilities.
made for further upgrades of the airport to improve capacity of the runway and
other facilities.
“There are long term
plans to further upgrade the airport and its facilities. The runway length is
1.578 metres long and 30 metres wide – good enough to land medium-sized
aircraft. At the moment, plans are to increase capacity at the airport through
collaboration and destination marketing,” she said.
plans to further upgrade the airport and its facilities. The runway length is
1.578 metres long and 30 metres wide – good enough to land medium-sized
aircraft. At the moment, plans are to increase capacity at the airport through
collaboration and destination marketing,” she said.
