Emmerson Njanjamangezi, Group Features Editor 
THE Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) will revamp the Kariba Airport in the second half of the year, following the completion of the US$2,5 million upgrade of Buffalo Range Airport in Chiredzi.
In line with the “Open Air” policy in the five-year economic plan — the National Development Strategy 1, the government is seized with modernising its infrastructure at international airports in a bid to lure more global airlines to Zimbabwe.
ACZ board chairman Davnada Popatlal told The Financial Gazette this week that focus was now on rehabilitating and revamping Kariba Airport.
“The 50-seater Embraer 145 now can land at Buffalo Range. The plan is to move on to Kariba Airport.
“We are drawing up a budget to undertake the project and apply for funds from the government. Buffalo Range now has a very good landing strip,” Popatlal said.
Buffalo Range’s runway strip was rehabilitated and upgraded to accommodate bigger aircraft as the nation’s tourism sector continues to show signs of recovery.
The airport is the gateway to the Lowveld, which is home to the wildlife-rich Gonarezhou National Park, a part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP).
Popatlal said due to the interconnectedness of the aviation industry and the tourism sector, the Buffalo Range Airport upgrade was part of the government’s plans to boost tourism in the entire Lowveld.
The project was undertaken by Bitumen and DDF.
ACZ manages and develops eight airports in Zimbabwe, offering direct and fast access to the country’s tourist resort areas.
Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport is the international gateway into the capital city, Harare, the hub of commercial activity in the country.
Popatlal said ACZ was also looking to upgrade small airports to facilitate domestic flights.
“That is within my vision of upgrading facilities at our small airports. We are looking at Beitbridge, Charles Prince and Mutare Airports.
“We are working on a strategy to equip those places with better facilities. But for us to go into that area we are limited financially,” he said.
Popatlal said ACZ was currently focusing on upgrading the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, before concentrating on domestic airports.
ACZ was born out of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) unbundling last year, in line with best international practice.
Following the new developments, CAAZ’s mandate is now limited to regulatory functions, while ACZ’s key duties are to acquire, establish and manage airports in the country.
Under its previous structure, CAAZ was both the player and the referee as it performed the regulatory oversight role and also operated airports.
It now, however, regulates the operations of the aviation industry, including those of the newly-established ACZ.
ACZ will also be responsible for roads and infrastructure connected to airports, while in its new brief, CAAZ will regulate aircraft operation and provide air traffic control. Both ACZ and CAAZ fall under the Transport ministry.
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