THE new Victoria Falls
International Airport
is battling to meet
burgeoning air traffic, with
problems of congestion and
delays. With airlines jostling
to introduce direct flights,
the problem is worsening.
The new airport was
built to handle around
1,5m passengers annually,
up from 500 000 at the
old airport. However, it
is battling to handle the
current passenger numbers
(310 000 annual seat
capacity), a 127 000
increase from February
2017 (183 000 annual
seat capacity). Figures are
according to estimates from
Africa Albida Tourism.
At a press briefing,
Zimbabwe Immigration
Department principal
director, Clemence
Masango, said immigration
officials reported that the
arrivals lounge lacked the
capacity to accommodate
the deluge of passengers.
He said the plan for the
refurbishment was drawn
up 20 years ago and many
things were not right. “The
arrival lounge can only
accommodate 600 people.
That is only enough space
for about three full planes,
carrying, on average, 200
passengers each.”
Hotel operators in Victoria
Falls are reporting betterthan-expected
profits, with
occupancy levels pushing
90%. “There was a 19%
increase in hotel occupancy
in Victoria Falls in 2017,”
said Africa Albida Tourism
ce, Ross Kennedy.
Vic Falls airport taking strain
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