Govt sets aside ZWL$3.1 billion for air control system

Zim Now Writer

Government has set aside ZWL$3.1 billion for the procurement and installation of an air traffic control system.

This comes as construction work on the expansion of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport is underway and the upgrade of the Victoria Falls International Airport has been completed.

The funds allocation was disclosed by Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube when he presented the 2023 national budget recently.

Ncube said the move will deal with safety and security fears associated with unavailability of the ATCs.

“The budget will provide ZWL$3.1 billion for the procurement and installation of air traffic control, surveillance, aircraft communication and weather equipment in order to improve air safety and security,” Ncube said.

The use of obsolete ATC at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport resulted in private aircraft sneaking in and out of Zimbabwe without detection as a result of poor surveillance.

Obsolete ATC was also likely to lead to the smuggling of weapons and precious minerals.

ATC Systems, help move aircraft safely and efficiently through the airspace as controllers can keep aircraft set distances apart while moving them from airport to airport using specific routes.

Minister Ncube also noted that the US$153 million terminal extension at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport is expected to increase the passengers and cargo handling capacity of the airport, developments which will attract more airlines and businesses into the country.