Harare (New Ziana) -President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday said he is ‘happy’ with the quality of work and progress in expanding the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

The project is being undertaken by China Jiangsu International and is expected to be complete by June 2022.

Speaking after touring the US$153 million expansion project, President Mnangagwa said upon completion, the airport would be competitive and attractive to international airlines.

“We realised that we needed something better, that has an international appeal and facilities that we get elsewhere should also be available.

“We are extremely happy that this airport after completion will match any other airport in the world in terms of facilities and the design and will attract airlines to come in,” he said.

He added: “And our people coming to watch as planes arrive and have a good time.”

President Mnangagwa thanked the People’s Republic of China for the support that made the project possible following his visit to China in 2018.

“The unwavering support from the People’s Republic of China remains a show of confidence in our economic development trajectory. We are not worried about those who get angry because China has helped us,” he said.

The US$153 million project will add a new international terminal building and aprons, 4 new bridges, secondary radar system, VVIP pavilion & airfield ground lighting & communication system.

To date the Runway civil works, Runway Edge lights installation, current work on approach lights, centre line lights and sub station have been completed.

Terminal building concrete works are 85 percent complete, curtain walling installation is in progress, painting is underway in the arrivals area, roof installation is 60 percent complete and equipment procurement is underway.

Completion of the expansion, which commenced in 2018, will see the airport’s holding capacity rise to 6 million people per annum from the current 2.5. million.

New Ziana