Victoria Falls Airport Expansion Bears Fruit as Passenger Numbers Soar

VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe – The significant investment in upgrading the Victoria Falls International Airport (VFIA) is delivering impressive returns, with the facility recording a substantial surge in passenger traffic for the first seven months of 2025.

Official figures indicate a marked increase in arrivals and departures compared to the same period in 2024, a growth directly attributed to the airport’s enhanced capacity and world-class facilities.

A key driver behind this influx has been the rise in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. The availability of improved infrastructure has positioned Victoria Falls as a premier destination for international conferences and business events, bringing a high volume of visitors to the resort city.

In an interview, Tonderai Mangombe Public relations and communications manager Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) highlighted that the growth strategy extends beyond just passenger travel. “MICE tourism has played a major role in the influx of visitors to Victoria Falls,” He stated. “However, ACZ is also looking at establishing a cargo village. This will be highly beneficial to the local communities and businesses that want to transport their products and produce to regional and international markets.”

This planned cargo village is expected to provide a major economic boost to the region, facilitating easier export for local artisans, farmers, and manufacturers.

In a move towards sustainability and self-sufficiency, the airport is also set to achieve another milestone. Plans are advanced for the construction of a 3-megawatt solar plant within the airport precinct. This green energy project will not only power the airport operations but will also feed excess electricity back into the national grid, contributing to the country’s power supply.

The continued development of VFIA is widely seen as a critical pillar in Zimbabwe’s tourism recovery and economic growth strategy, solidifying the status of one of the world’s seven natural wonders as a globally accessible destination.