Harare, Zimbabwe: The Robert Gabriel Mugabe (RGM) International Airport in Harare looks stunning after the completion of the upgrade project. The airport looks super clean and modern after the advanced amendments.
As per the recent update by Engineer – Shamiso Makova on behalf of the whole Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), the RGM International Airport’s project is still in progress.
According to the overall progress report, 42% of the work of the airport has reached its advanced stage. Engineer Makova mentioned that the civil workers have 100% completed the runway work.
Following is the status of other areas and how much of their work has been completed:
- Aprons: 46% of their work is completed
- Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL): 45% of the work is completed
- Air Navigation Aids (ANA): 45% of work is completed
- Satellite Fire Station: 47% of work is completed
- Water Storm-Water and Sewer work is completed by 34%
She added that the airport development project work is expected to be completed by the end of the year 2023.
The Airport Development Project is all set to change Harare’s skyline with new, modern and attractive upgrades and extended International Terminal Building.
Earlier, the engineer mentioned that the extension is set to increase and handle the passenger capacity of the airport from the current 2.5 million passengers per annum to 6 million passengers per annum.
She included in her statement that after the completion of the terminal building, the airport will have an extra four air bridges, bringing them to a total count of seven.
Despite this, the airport will also build:
- Key airspace management systems in the form of secondary surveillance radar
- Navigational Aids Systems and Doppler Very High Frequency Omni Range (DVOR)
Notably, the DVOR when co-located with Distance Measuring Instrument (DME) provides both the angle and slant distance of aircraft with respect to ground station.
Originally, the construction work of the airport began in January 2019. According to the previous schedule, CAAZ also reported the progress in 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic affected the progress of the project.
Engineer Makova mentioned that the two shutdowns extended the completion period by about a year. Therefore, the project is now expected to be completed by the end of the year 2023. She added that the work on site is standstill and installation of the roof is underway.
The development project of the airport was implemented by a Chinese contractor and was managed and supervised by the Airports Company of Zimbabwe and local consultants. China Jiangsu International is also supporting the project at a cost of US $153 million.
The upgraded RGM International Airport will receive more international airlines to Harare and will increase the arrival of tourists. The airport saw the last upgradation in the year 2001.
