Bulawayo’s JM Nkomo Airport Set For Major Upgrade

2 October 2025

By Andile Vundla

The Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) has announced major infrastructure upgrades at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo, as part of efforts to modernize the facility and strengthen its role as a regional aviation hub.

Speaking in a press brief on the sidelines of JM Nkomo Airport media tour, ACZ Public Relations and Communications Manager, Tonderai Mangombe, said the facelift will include a full refurbishment of the passenger terminal, which was last upgraded in 2013.

The revamp will cover repainting, interior refurbishments, and improvements to passenger services, giving the airport a fresh look after more than a decade of operation.

Mangombe also revealed that ACZ is planning to construct a new air traffic control tower, replacing the current one that no longer provides full visibility of the runway. The new structure will accommodate the airport’s future expansion, including a proposed runway extension from 2.5 kilometers to 4.5 kilometers, which would make it the second-largest in Zimbabwe.

“These upgrades are not just cosmetic. They are about positioning JM Nkomo to handle more traffic safely, attract new airlines, and meet international aviation standards,” Mangombe said.

Passenger numbers at the airport have been rising steadily since the COVID-19 slump, with Ethiopian Airlines, Airlink, Fastjet, and Airzim now serving the city. ACZ expects 2025 passenger traffic to surpass last year’s 188,000, underlining the need for improved infrastructure.

The modernization drive is part of ACZ’s wider mandate to manage and develop Zimbabwe’s nine airports without relying on treasury funding, operating instead on a commercial model.

“Airports are gateways to economic growth. Every passenger brings business to hotels, taxis, and local industries. Our investments are about supporting Vision 2030 and creating a flying culture in Zimbabwe,” Mangombe added.