Zimbabwe's Aviation and Tourism Sectors Experience Robust Growth in 2025

The second quarter of 2025 saw a significant increase in passenger traffic at all airports in Zimbabwe, with a total of 612,695 visitors, representing a 22.2 percent growth from the first quarter. This growth is a signal of renewed confidence in the aviation and tourism sectors as the economy continues to improve. According to the Second Quarter 2025 Transport Statistics Report released by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat), the growth was recorded across major airports, including Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport, and Victoria Falls International Airport.

Key Takeaways:

• Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, the country's busiest aviation hub, recorded a 13.9 percent rise in passengers, from 347,080 to 395,267, while Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo saw a 16.5 percent increase in visitor traffic, climbing from 43,217 to 50,367.
• Victoria Falls International Airport recorded the highest growth at 48.4 percent, surging from 107,500 to 159,527 passengers, driven by increased tourist arrivals.
• Other regional airports recorded a combined 116.6 percent growth, from 3,478 to 7,534 passengers, underscoring the growing economic and tourism activity across provincial centers.
• Commercial flight operations also experienced a significant rise, with total flights increasing by 47.2 percent during the quarter, a clear indicator of a resurgent aviation industry.
• Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport handled 6,931 flights, up 19.8 percent from 5,787 in the previous quarter, while Victoria Falls International Airport registered a spectacular 75.2 percent jump in flights, from 2,474 to 4,334.

Statistics:

• Total passenger traffic: 612,695 (representing a 22.2 percent growth from the first quarter)
• Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport passenger growth: 13.9 percent (from 347,080 to 395,267)
• Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport passenger growth: 16.5 percent (from 43,217 to 50,367)
• Victoria Falls International Airport passenger growth: 48.4 percent (from 107,500 to 159,527)
• Commercial flight operations: 47.2 percent increase (total flights up from 5,787 to 6,931)
• Victoria Falls International Airport flight growth: 75.2 percent (from 2,474 to 4,334)
• Total tourist arrivals: 1,600,000 (generated US$1.2 billion in receipts and US$190.5 million in investments in 2024)

Sources:

• Second Quarter 2025 Transport Statistics Report by Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat)
• Forbes The World's Most Visited Countries report
• Zimbabwe Ministry of Tourism report (released in September)