Govt courts more airlines
TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO
Government is courting more airlines to consider flying into the city of Bulawayo to promote business, tourism and economic growth, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Theodius Chinyanga has said.
Speaking a ceremony to celebrate Ethiopian Airways’ inaugural flight into Zimbabwe’s second largest city this week, Chinyanga said the coming in of Africa’s largest carrier increases the connectivity between Bulawayo and the rest of the continent and the world at large.
“Efforts are ongoing to entice other big players to consider flying into Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport,” he said.
Chinyanga said the Ministry was striving to increase connectivity, not only with the continent of Africa, but with the rest of the world.
“We are embarking on a programme to expand and modernise our international airports so that they will be able to handle big aviation players in the mould of Ethiopian Airlines.
Prior to Ethiopian Airlines flying to Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo, Airlink was the only other international flight in and out of this airport to South Africa.
Chinyanga said the air transport plays a critical role in the economic development of Zimbabwe.
“The coming in of Ethiopian Airlines to JM International Airport will, without doubt, spur on and encourage more exciting ground-breaking investment and trade ventures in other downstream sectors of our economy to the benefit of the nation, “Chinyanga said.
The airline will fly four weekly services from Addis Ababa to Bulawayo via Victoria Falls.
It was already flying into Harare and Victoria Falls.
Stakeholders in Bulawayo have hailed the introduction of Ethiopian Airlines flights to the city saying the move will boost the tourism sector as well as easing international travels.
Recently, the airline was the official carrier for international buyers and journalists who attended this year’s Sanganai/Hlanganani World Tourism Expo, after they entered into a partnership with Zimbabwe Tourism Authority.
