Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (IATA: HRE, ICAO: FVRG), formerly known as Harare International Airport and Salisbury Airport, is an international airport in Harare, Zimbabwe. Colloquially known as RGM or Harare Airport, it is the largest airport in the country and serves as the base of Air Zimbabwe, the national flag carrier.
Air Zimbabwe Boeing 767-200ER at Harare International Airport
Early History and Construction
Commissioned in 1956, and officially opened on 5 February 1957, Salisbury Airport cost £924,000 to build. As early as January 1947, the Southern Rhodesian government had appointed a Southern Rhodesia Aerodrome Board. Its task was to advise the government on the selection, acquisition, construction and maintenance of government aerodromes and landing grounds in Southern Rhodesia.
In 1949, the government purchased Kentucky and Adair farms east of Salisbury (2,700 acres at a cost of £54,000) for the construction of the new airport. Also in 1949, the Minister of Mines and Transport set up an airport panel to co-ordinate the construction of the airport. The government announced in 1951 that the airport would be developed as a joint user aerodrome for both civil aviation and the Southern Rhodesian Air Force (SRAF). Originally, it was anticipated that the airport would be completed by 1954. However, it was not completed until two years later, because the government ran out of funds in October 1952 and had to suspend the project temporarily.
The new Salisbury Airport was finally commissioned on 1 July 1956 by the Government of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
Read also: A Century at Meikles Hotel
Airlines and Destinations
As a result of internal political conflicts since 2000, there has been a decline in tourists to Zimbabwe prior to the country’s withdrawal from the Commonwealth of Nations three years later. Consequently, there are only two non-African airlines that serve the country: Emirates and Qatar Airways.
The following airlines operate from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport:
- Air Zimbabwe
- Airlink
- CemAir
- Fastjet Zimbabwe
- FlySafair
- South African Airways
- BidAir Cargo
Destinations include:
- Bulawayo
- Dar es Salaam
- Johannesburg-O. R.
- Cape Town
- Durban
a This flight operates via Lusaka.
Zimbabwe Airports Projects
Incidents
Several incidents have occurred at the airport throughout its history:
Read also: Comfortable Stay in Zimbabwe
- In July 1984, Vickers Viscount Z-YNI of Air Zimbabwe was damaged beyond economic repair in an accident on the ground.
- On 20 September 1987, Douglas C-47A Z-WRJ of Crest Breeders crashed shortly after take-off following a loss of power from the starboard engine. The aircraft was on a cargo flight.
- On 3 November 2009, Air Zimbabwe Xian MA60 performing flight UM-239 hit five warthogs on take-off.
Expansion and Modernization
The Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport expansion involved the construction of a new terminal and related facilities. The expansion project was completed in July 2023. The RGM International Airport expansion increased passenger handling capacity from 2.5 million to six million a year. The project is part of the Zimbabwe government’s drive to improve aviation infrastructure in line with international standards and is outlined within the government’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which is aimed at driving economic growth by 2030.
The RGM airport is located 15km south of Harare city, Zimbabwe. The RGM International Airport expansion included the construction of a new terminal building and two new aprons to accommodate four new air bridges. The new boarding bridges accommodate more passengers and aircraft while improving the overall passenger experience. The construction of the RGM airport expansion project was undertaken by China Jiangsu International (CJI), a Chinese, state-owned conglomerate.
RGM International Airport Expansion Project
The airport features 28 check-in counters, three baggage carrousels, and two conveyor belts.
Renaming Controversy
Formerly known as Harare International, the airport was rechristened in a ceremony. The decision sparked an outcry among the President’s opposition, contributing to an atmosphere of discontent surrounding the succession of his office which culminated this morning (November 15) in an army takeover of the country.
Read also: Harare's Culinary Gem: Paula's Place
After thanking those present, the nation’s leader, who has been in power for more than 35 years, said: “My government recognises that air transport is pivotal to the economic growth of our country. We have been debating this issue of economic growth, this issue of development, of encompassing all our people and trying to improve their condition. While transport in general accelerates the movement of people and goods in a cost effective way, air transport facilities promote national and regional trade, tourism, investment and integration.”
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), the leading opposition to Mugabe’s Zanu PF, branded the move an insult. In fact, there are more deserving national heroes such as Herbert Chitepo, Leopold Takawira, Lookout Masuku and many others after whom the Harare International Airport can be justifiably renamed.
Popular articles:
tags:
