RGM Airport’s domestic terminal upgrade now complete

Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter

THE rehabilitation of the domestic terminal at the new-look Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, which started in January 2024, is now complete and it opened to passengers this week.

The domestic terminal had been temporarily closed, and travellers were using the international terminal.

Airport infrastructure development is one of the top priorities in facilitating the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe and globally.

Consequently, the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport has undergone a significant transformation at a cost of US$153 million to enhance its passenger handling capacity.

In a statement, Air Zimbabwe confirmed the developments.

“Air Zimbabwe wishes to advise all valued passengers that effective October 12, 2026, all check-in procedures for domestic flights originating from Harare will move to the Domestic Departures Terminal at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport following its full operationalisation,” read the statement.

In November 2023, China Jiangsu International successfully completed the renovation of the right-side flight display of the old terminal at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

In 2024, President Mnangagwa commissioned the new-look RGM International Airport, as the Second Republic continues to deliver key projects in line with the country’s vision of attaining an upper middle-income economy by 2030.

RGM International Airport continues to welcome new airlines. In addition to the domestic carriers, Airlink, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates and Qatar Airways also operate regional and international flights to Harare.

In March 2023, Zambia Airways resumed flights to Harare after 27 years as it re-entered the regional market.

In April 2023, Eswatini Air launched flights to Harare, its third regional destination, after commencing operations a month earlier. Zimbabwe hopes to continue adding routes to its network with the terminal expansion.

The RGM International Airport has since been handed over to the Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) by the contractor, China Jiangsu International-RGM Airport Project.

Security has already been beefed up at the airport to ensure the safety of travellers and visitors as well as to thwart any criminal activities at the new terminal.

Travellers have started using the extension as the Government continues its drive to enhance aviation infrastructure in line with global standards.

The new arrivals and departure sections have been opened to the public while the rehabilitation of the existing international and domestic terminal buildings progresses.

The completion of the expansion of Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport is evidence that the Second Republic is walking the talk in modernising and industrialising the country for the achievement of Vision 2030.

The airport will become a regional aviation hub able to handle about 6 million passengers annually, up from the present 2,5 million.

Four new aerobridges, one with the capacity to handle A380 aircraft and four baggage carousels have been installed.

Meanwhile, the construction of the Mabvuku Interchange is progressing well and it is now more than 80 percent complete, with the project set to be completed and open to traffic by year-end.

Works on the project began in September last year and milestones have already been achieved, including the completion and installation of some of the beams.

Recently, the contractor also finished installing the bridge deck.

The project, which commenced in September 2025, is expected to ease congestion along the Harare-Mutare Highway, which forms part of the Beira Corridor, while improving traffic flow for residents of Ruwa, Mabvuku, Tafara and surrounding areas.

In an interview, the deputy director of construction in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Engineer Virginia Mawere confirmed the developments and said the deck is now being allowed to gain strength before road surfacing works begin on the slip lane and bridge.

She said the project is now at more than 80 percent completion.

The project is designed to ease congestion and improve safety on one of Zimbabwe’s key traffic corridors.

It is part of a nationwide initiative to ease congestion, reduce road carnage and modernise transport systems in line with the country’s Vision 2030.

The Harare–Mutare Highway carries heavy commuter and commercial traffic from Mabvuku, Tafara and surrounding suburbs into the city centre, while also linking Harare to Mutare and Mozambique.

At peak hours, the section is notorious for congestion and accidents. Once complete, the Mabvuku Interchange is expected to provide lasting relief to road users.

The Mabvuku Interchange follows President Mnangagwa’s commissioning of the Trabablas Traffic Interchange, which seamlessly links Simon Mazorodze, High Glen and Chitungwiza Roads.

Construction of the Delport Road junction is also underway. The road will connect Mutare Road from Mabvuku, Seke Road and Airport Road, creating a dedicated link for traffic heading towards Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and easing congestion along the route.

The construction of another new interchange recently commenced at the intersection of Harare Drive and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Expressway (formerly Airport Road), as the Government continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing modern, efficient and safe transport infrastructure.

Source: RGM Airport’s domestic terminal upgrade now complete – herald

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