…Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Tawanda Karikoga
By Gideon Madzikatidze
HARARE – Parliament has vowed to push for lower aviation fees in Zimbabwe, with lawmakers arguing that high airport charges are choking competitiveness and undermining President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s drive for ease of doing business.
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Tawanda Karikoga said the committee will lobby for a review of aviation fees to make them more affordable and aligned with SADC regional rates.
Speaking during the Airports Company of Zimbabwe’s annual general meeting held in Harare this Thursday, Karikoga said the current fee structure was pricing Zimbabwe out of the regional market.
“As parliamentarians, we will be pushing for a review of aviation fees in Zimbabwe to be a bit low,” Karikoga told delegates.
“We need fees that ensure ease of doing business and that are competitive with those within the SADC region,” he added.
He said lowering costs for airlines, cargo operators and passengers would complement government’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and the President’s mantra of opening Zimbabwe for business.
“High aviation fees defeat the very purpose of attracting investment, tourism and trade. If we are serious about NDS2 and becoming a regional hub, then our airports must be cost-competitive,” Karikoga said.
The concern comes amid industry complaints that Zimbabwe’s landing, parking and passenger service charges are among the highest in the region, forcing some airlines and freight operators to route through neighboring countries.
ACZ officials at the AGM acknowledged the pressure, noting that while fees fund critical airport infrastructure and safety upgrades, balancing affordability with sustainability remains key.
Hon. Karikoga assured stakeholders that the Portfolio Committee would engage the Ministry of Transport, the Treasury and aviation authorities to review the tariff structure.
“We cannot talk of the ease of doing business when the cost of flying in and out of Zimbabwe is prohibitive,” he said.
“The review must happen so that we unlock growth, jobs and connectivity,” Karikoga added.
The committee’s push is expected to feed into upcoming budget consultations and policy reviews as the government seeks to position Zimbabwe as a competitive aviation and logistics hub under NDS2.