Leading Zimbabwean hospitality group, Africa Albida Tourism, has welcomed the opening of the new $150 million Victoria Falls International Airport.

The project is set to usher in a new era of tourism to the region.

The airport, which now has the capacity to handle 1.5 million passengers per annum, tripling its previous volume, and is capable of landing some of the world’s largest aircraft, was officially opened by Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe earlier.

AAT chief executive, Ross Kennedy, said: “The positive impact of the new Victoria Falls International Airport will be very significant and should take the destination and region to a new level in terms of arrivals.

“The socio-economic benefits will be widespread as increased and new access drives the tourism sector’s growth with arrivals from additional source markets,” Kennedy said.

The development in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe’s leading resort town, which included the construction of a new international terminal building and the rehabilitation of the existing one into a domestic terminal, has been fully operational since September this year.

AAT currently boasts a portfolio of five-star properties including Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls Safari Club, Victoria Falls Safari Suites, and the famed restaurant The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show.

It will now be easier than ever for guests to travel to this wonder of the world destination and stay in five-star accommodation.

The airport features a four kilometre runway, a state of the art control tower, which is one of the most advanced in Africa, and a fire station, equipped to respond to fire and medical emergencies. 

Facilities at the international terminal include 14 check-in counters, nine boarding gates, three baggage carousels, a dozen shops, two restaurants, 28 aircraft parking bays and parking facilities for 400 vehicles.

The domestic terminal features six check-in counters, two passenger security screening facilities, one restaurant and three coffee shops, eight other shops and a business class lounge. 

The airport, funded by a China Exim Bank loan to the Zimbabwean Government, was constructed by China Jiangsu International Group.

The Victoria Falls International Airport has been long awaited by airlines, hotel operators, and tourists alike, and with AAT’s ongoing support and pioneering work, this exciting opening is now set to boost tourism for the whole of Southern Africa.

More Information

Breaking Travel News recently caught up with Walter Mzembi, minister of tourism, Zimbabwe, to discuss the impact the new airport would have on tourism in the country.

Fund out more here.