Zimbabwe's Airports: An Overview Of The Country's Aviation Infrastructure

Zimbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country in southern Africa, with a rich culture, wild safaris, and breathtaking sights like Victoria Falls. There are 13 airports in Zimbabwe, including international airports, domestic airports, and smaller private or military airstrips. The biggest airport in Zimbabwe is Harare International Airport, located about nine miles (15 km) from the centre of Harare, the country's capital. The airport offers duty-free shopping, restaurants, and car rental services, making it a convenient gateway to the country. Other notable airports in Zimbabwe include Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Victoria Falls International Airport, and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, the country's second-largest airport.

Zimbabwe's Main Airport

Zimbabwe, officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in the southern part of Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. The capital city of Zimbabwe is Harare, and the country is divided into eight provinces and two cities with provincial status.

Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, formerly known as Salisbury Airport and Harare International Airport, is the largest airport in Zimbabwe. It is located in Harare, about nine miles (15 km) from the city centre, and serves as the base of Air Zimbabwe, the national flag carrier. The airport is operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe and has restaurants, shops, and duty-free shopping. It is easy to find a taxi or bus outside the terminal, and car rentals are also available.

The airport was commissioned in 1956 and officially opened on 5 February 1957. It cost £924,000 to build and was constructed on the Kentucky and Adair farms, east of Salisbury. The airport replaced the city's original aerodrome, Belvedere Airport, which was inadequate due to its runway alignment, posing a danger to aircraft with its take-off path over the city centre.

In addition to being the largest, Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport also serves the most destinations in Zimbabwe, with 16 airlines operating flights to and from 11 destinations.

Zimbabwe's second-largest airport is Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, formerly Bulawayo International Airport, located in Bulawayo, about 16 miles (25 km) from the city centre. While smaller than Harare International Airport, it still offers good services for travellers, including taxis and buses to the city centre.

Victoria Falls Airport is another notable airport in Zimbabwe, designed mainly for tourists visiting the famous Victoria Falls. It is located 14 miles (22 km) from the centre of Victoria Falls town, and while it is on the smaller side, it provides easy access for tourists to one of the world's most spectacular natural attractions.

International Airports

Zimbabwe has 13 airports in total, including international, domestic, and smaller private or military airstrips. The country's international airports include:

Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport

Formerly known as Harare International Airport, Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport is the biggest airport in Zimbabwe. It is located about nine miles (14-15 km) from the centre of Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe. It is served by 16 airlines that operate flights to and from 11 destinations. The airport offers restaurants, duty-free shops, and car rental agencies.

Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport

Formerly known as Bulawayo International Airport, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport is the second-largest airport in Zimbabwe. It is located about 15-16 miles (24-25 km) from the centre of Bulawayo. The airport has recently been renovated to accommodate more visitors and offers taxis and buses for transportation to the city centre.

Victoria Falls Airport

Victoria Falls Airport is a small airport located about 14 miles (22 km) from the centre of Victoria Falls town. It mainly caters to tourists visiting the famous Victoria Falls. The airport's runway can only accommodate medium-sized planes. It is served by South African Airways, British Airways, and Air Namibia, with year-round flights to Johannesburg and Windhoek. Charter flights to Victoria Falls also come from various cities in Europe.

Domestic Airports

Zimbabwe has 13 airports in total, including international airports, domestic airports, and smaller private or military airstrips. The country's airports include:

Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport

Formerly known as Salisbury Airport, this airport is located 15 kilometres south of Harare City, the capital of Zimbabwe. It is the largest airport in the country, with a 4,725-metre-long and 46-metre-wide runway capable of handling wide-bodied aircraft such as the Boeing 777/B747. The airport has a range of facilities, including shops, restaurants, banks, and car rental services.

Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport

Previously called Bulawayo International Airport, this airport is the second-largest in Zimbabwe and is located in Bulawayo, around 16 miles from the city centre. It offers travellers services such as taxis and buses to the city centre, as well as duty-free shopping and dining options.

Victoria Falls Airport

Victoria Falls Airport is a smaller airport designed primarily for tourists visiting the famous Victoria Falls. It is located 14 miles from the centre of Victoria Falls town, and its runway can only accommodate medium-sized planes.

Buffalo Range Airport

Gweru-Thornhill Air Base

Charles Prince Airport

Hwange National Park Airport

Mount Darwin Airport

These domestic airports, along with the international airports mentioned above, facilitate travel within Zimbabwe and provide access to the country's diverse attractions, such as its rich culture, wild safaris, and natural wonders like Victoria Falls.

Military Airports

Zimbabwe has 13 airports in total, including international airports, domestic airports, and smaller private or military airstrips.

Of these, the Gweru-Thornhill Air Base is a notable military airport in the country. It is located in the city of Gweru, in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. The air base serves as a strategic military installation for the country's air force and plays a crucial role in safeguarding the nation's airspace and conducting military operations.

Another military airport in Zimbabwe is the Buffalo Range Airport, which is nestled in the serene South Eastern Lowveld region. This airport serves as a gateway to the country's natural beauty and abundant wildlife. It provides access to major conservation areas, including the Save Valley, Malilangwe, and Bubiana conservancies. The Buffalo Range Airport is also a gateway to the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a vast cross-border conservation area connecting Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and South Africa.

In addition to these, there are several other military or private airstrips scattered across the country, catering to various purposes, including tourism, military operations, and access to remote areas. These airstrips ensure connectivity within the country and enhance its appeal as a travel destination, offering visitors easy access to its diverse natural and cultural attractions.

Private Airports

Zimbabwe has 13 airports in total, including international airports, domestic airports, and smaller private or military airstrips.

Private and smaller charter flights operate out of Charles Prince Airport, which is located at the former Mt Hampden airfield. Charles Prince Airport has four runways, two of which are crossing strips. The reason for this is to make the runway in use favourable to the wind due to the different runway headings. Having four runways also makes it easier to handle larger traffic volumes, improving safety.

Private and smaller charter flights are operated by the following airlines:

• Alba Jet
• Fly Blade
• Execair Zimbabwe
• Private Fly Zimbabwe
• Guthrie Aviation Zimbabwe
• Fastjet Zimbabwe
• Grand Air Charters
• Central Air Transport Service
• Airssist
• Flyaware

Other Airports

The largest airport in Zimbabwe is Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, formerly known as Harare International Airport and Salisbury Airport. It is located 15km south of Harare city and is the base of Air Zimbabwe, the national flag carrier.

The second-largest airport is Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, formerly known as Bulawayo International Airport. It is located 25km outside of Bulawayo and was established in 1959 as a gateway to Zimbabwe's second-largest city.

The third international airport in the country is Victoria Falls International Airport, which is located 18km south of the Victoria Falls CBD. This airport mainly serves tourists visiting the Victoria Falls.

Smaller airports in Zimbabwe include:

• Kariba Airport
• Hwange Airport
• Masvingo Airport
• Buffalo Range Airport

Frequently asked questions