Harare International Airport
Encyclopedia
Harare International Airport is an airport
in Harare
, Zimbabwe
. The airport
is operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe
and is the hub of Air Zimbabwe
. The airport's runway, at 4725 metres (15,502 ft), is one of the longest in Africa
. It compares with OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg
, South Africa
, whose longest runway measures 4418 metres (14,494.8 ft). The reason for this is that both are "hot and high
" airports requiring long take-off runs.
Because of a decline in tourism numbers, due to internal political conflicts since 2000, few major airlines now use the airport. In the early 1990s when many foreign airlines refused to fly to South Africa for political reasons, Harare airport was served by many major airlines. It was possible to fly non-stop to Australia and the United Kingdom as well as many European destinations.
The runway is used by both the civilian airport and the Air Force of Zimbabwe
whose base is on the southern side of the runway.
has its head office on the property of the airport. The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe
has its head office on level 3 of the airport. When Air Rhodesia
existed, its head office was on the airport property.
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
in Harare
Harare
Harare before 1982 known as Salisbury) is the largest city and capital of Zimbabwe. It has an estimated population of 1,600,000, with 2,800,000 in its metropolitan area . Administratively, Harare is an independent city equivalent to a province. It is Zimbabwe's largest city and its...
, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
. The airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
is operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe
Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe
The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe is the civil aviation agency of Zimbabwe. Its head office is on level 3 of Harare International Airport in Harare.The CAAZ was established on 1 January 1999 to replace the Department of Civil Aviation....
and is the hub of Air Zimbabwe
Air Zimbabwe
Air Zimbabwe is the national airline of Zimbabwe, headquartered in Harare. From its hub at Harare International Airport, the carrier operates a network within southern Africa that also includes Asia and London-Gatwick. The company is a member of the International Air Transport Association, and of...
. The airport's runway, at 4725 metres (15,502 ft), is one of the longest in Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. It compares with OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, whose longest runway measures 4418 metres (14,494.8 ft). The reason for this is that both are "hot and high
Hot and high
In aviation, hot and high is a condition of low air density due to high ambient temperature and high airport elevation. Air density decreases with increasing temperature and altitude. Lower air density reduces the amount of lift generated by the wings or the rotors of an aircraft, which may hamper...
" airports requiring long take-off runs.
Because of a decline in tourism numbers, due to internal political conflicts since 2000, few major airlines now use the airport. In the early 1990s when many foreign airlines refused to fly to South Africa for political reasons, Harare airport was served by many major airlines. It was possible to fly non-stop to Australia and the United Kingdom as well as many European destinations.
The runway is used by both the civilian airport and the Air Force of Zimbabwe
Air Force of Zimbabwe
The Air Force of Zimbabwe is the air force of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces. It was known as the Rhodesian Air Force until 1980. The Air Force of Zimbabwe saw service in the Mozambican Civil War in 1985 and the Second Congo War of 1998–2001....
whose base is on the southern side of the runway.
Facilities
Air ZimbabweAir Zimbabwe
Air Zimbabwe is the national airline of Zimbabwe, headquartered in Harare. From its hub at Harare International Airport, the carrier operates a network within southern Africa that also includes Asia and London-Gatwick. The company is a member of the International Air Transport Association, and of...
has its head office on the property of the airport. The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe
Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe
The Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe is the civil aviation agency of Zimbabwe. Its head office is on level 3 of Harare International Airport in Harare.The CAAZ was established on 1 January 1999 to replace the Department of Civil Aviation....
has its head office on level 3 of the airport. When Air Rhodesia
Air Rhodesia
Air Rhodesia was the national airline of Rhodesia. Its head office was located on the property of Salisbury Airport in Salisbury.It was originally formed as a subsidiary of Central African Airways in June 1964, but became an independent corporation on September 1, 1967. Air Rhodesia flew internal...
existed, its head office was on the airport property.
Airlines and destinations
Accidents and incidents
- In July 1984, Vickers ViscountVickers ViscountThe Vickers Viscount was a British medium-range turboprop airliner first flown in 1948 by Vickers-Armstrongs, making it the first such aircraft to enter service in the world...
Z-YNI of Air ZimbabweAir ZimbabweAir Zimbabwe is the national airline of Zimbabwe, headquartered in Harare. From its hub at Harare International Airport, the carrier operates a network within southern Africa that also includes Asia and London-Gatwick. The company is a member of the International Air Transport Association, and of...
was damaged beyond economic repair in an accident on the ground. It was withdrawn from use as a result and passed to the airports fire department for use as a training aid.
- On 20 September 1987, Douglas C-47A Z-WRJ of Crest Breeders crashed shortly after take-off following a loss of power from the starboard engine. The aircraft was on a cargo flight, all three crew survived.
- On 3 November 2009, Air ZimbabweAir ZimbabweAir Zimbabwe is the national airline of Zimbabwe, headquartered in Harare. From its hub at Harare International Airport, the carrier operates a network within southern Africa that also includes Asia and London-Gatwick. The company is a member of the International Air Transport Association, and of...
Xian MA60Xian MA60|-See also:-References:* Jackson, Paul. Jane's All The World's Aircraft 2003–2004. Coulsdon, UK: Jane's Information Group, 2003. ISBN 0-7106-2537-5.-External links:* * *...
registration UM-239 hit five warthogs on take-off. The take-off was rejected but the undercarriage collapsed causing substantial damage to the aircraft.
- On 5 August 2010, airport authorities staged a fake plane accident at Harare International Airport and told the media that it was a real accident.