Straddling the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is a force of nature – a force so strong people cross continents to witness it.
For many years visiting this Unesco World Heritage Site has not been particularly straightforward, thanks largely to the region’s creaking infrastructure. But that is set to change with the opening of Victoria Falls International Airport.
Unveiled last week, the $150 million airport is capable of handling around 1.5 million passengers annually and its smooth new runway can accommodate some of the world’s largest jets – raising the prospect of new direct international flights to Victoria Falls.
Opening the airport on Friday – amid accusations that his security personnel had abducted six anti-government activists – was Zimbabwe president Robert Mugabe.
“This airport signifies exciting times for aviation and tourism sectors and paves way for Victoria Falls town to become a tourism hub for SADC (Southern African Development Community) and the rest of the African continent,” he said, local media report.
Watch | Drone Footage Captures the Beauty of Victoria Falls
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The same reports also claimed that he urged people to “keep the airport tidy, clean, and… not mess it up with litter thrown everywhere”.
Victoria Falls International Airport was funded and constructed by China and is a further sign of growing Chinese influence in Zimbabwe, which last year announced it would adopt the yuan as legal tender.
However, the airport is also an opportunity for other nations and their flag carriers, which now have a direct route to one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World.
Airlines currently flying into Victoria Falls include Namibian Airways, British Airways and Fly Africa; Qatar and Etihad have also shown an interest in serving the new hub.-UK Telegraph
