Harare (New Ziana) – President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday commissioned the newly renovated and expanded Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, which now has bigger passenger and cargo handling capacity.

It was re-developed at a cost of US$153 million through a concessionary loan from China, which President Mnangagwa said was testimony of fruitful relations between the two countries.

Chinese state-owned enterprise, Jiangsu International Economic and Technical Cooperation Group, was the contractor.
“After getting such assistance and support from China, our airport is mouth-watering and magnificent. This is what we call development. Our newly renovated and modern Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport matches any airport in Europe. To China Jiangsu company, I thank you for the remarkable quality of work done at this airport. Thank you for a job well done,” President Mnangagwa said.

Among other things, work done included expanding the international terminal, adding aprons, installing new air bridges and upgrading ground lighting and communication systems.

The modernised airport will handle six million passengers annually, up from the current 2.5 million, and Harare will become a major regional aviation hub.

President Mnangagwa said work would begin soon also to upgrade the domestic terminal, which is adjacent to RGM airport.

Chinese ambassador to Zimbabwe, Zhou Ding said joint projects like the airport upgrade helped deepen co-operation between the two countries.

“Our bilateral co-operation has continued to deliver tangible results. This magnificent product is another testimony of our fruitful co-operation and another monument that we will cherish in years to come. It is one of the key co-operation projects done by China,” he said.

“China will always stand with you and remain Zimbabwe’s true and worthy friend,” he said.

New Ziana