Airports Company of Zimbabwe launched

By Shingirai Vambe

The Air Transport industry has once again found a parent after the launch of the Airports Company of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Tuesday evening.

The private company’s responsibility is to run, develop, and upgrade all airports and aerodromes in Zimbabwe after the promulgation of the Civil Aviation Amendment Act 2018 (No.10 of 2018) which is in tandem with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and international good practices.

Speaking during the launch, the organization’s chief executive officer, Tawanda Gusha said the primary objective of ACZ is to acquire, establish, develop, maintain, manage control and operate airports in Zimbabwe.

“ACZ is working on various projects which include the upgrading of Charles Prince Airport, Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport together with the Kariba Airport which will be put on a new site,” said Gusha.

Officiating the event, Transport and Infrastructural Development minister, Felix Mhona said, “The company will be the face of our airports thus, we call upon all actors in the tourism industry, hospitality and construction industries to work together with ACZ and invest in the rehabilitation of infrastructure at our airports.

“Airports have become citadels of growth which must attract lucrative business such as global flagship hotel brands,” added Mhona.

The operations of ACZ will make the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe and regulatory board with ACZ now in picture they have become 2 entities responsible for air transport and infrastructure in Zimbabwe.

The phenomenon of brand building has gathered momentum and has over the last decade crystallized into one of the cardinal pillars of corporate identity and dynamism at all levels.

Acting Chief Executive of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority, Givemore Chidzidzi told Post On Sunday that the coming in of ACZ is a milestone achievement of the country towards the vision to become a middle income economy by 2030.

Chidzidzi said tourism and hospitality industry gains come through from transport infrastructure development. He further indicated that road, air and sea transport is key in his industry and expectations are that of world class standards.