Airlines operating routes into Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, have increased the size of their equipment due to a growth in the number of passengers as the resort town realised a 23% increase in passenger movement between January and June this year.

According to Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe CEO and GM, David Chawota, as evidenced by the national airline which is now flying a 203-seat Boeing 767 into Victoria Falls, there is confidence in the new airport and its ability to handle larger aircraft.

Chawota confirmed reports that British Airways, Comair and South African Airways had also indicated plans to introduce bigger aircraft.

He said other airlines operating into the country had also increased the size of their equipment with passenger traffic averaging a 10% growth. They include Air Namibia, which is now using an Airbus, as well as Emirates which upgraded to a Boeing 777 in place of the A330 it used previously.

“The general increase in passenger movement, averaging 10%, is a result of the joint marketing efforts with the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority. We are working together to market the destination and the implementation of Meetings Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism that the country has adopted is facilitating more traffic at the country’s airports,” he said.

Chawota said he expected this trend to not only continue for the rest of the year but to accelerate on the back of efforts to develop the country’s facilities.

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