In this post I’m going to talk about the once glamorous and beautiful Harare International Airport. I have already talked about my journey to Zimbabwe part 1 and my visit to Zimbabwe part 2. Harare Airport today is nothing like what it used to be when it was opened a few years back…..if the fall in service standards and deteriorating infrastructure is allowed to continue, the airport buildings will soon look like a deserted town or one of those buildings at Mahusekwa or Murambinda Growth points.
Going through immigration was exceptionally fast…..but there was to be a long wait, nearly 1 hour waiting for our luggage. By the time I got home it had taken me nearly 24 hours from the time I left my residency in UK. Our flight had been delayed by over 7 hours.
For some who have been to Harare International Airport recently, they will agree things are no longer the same. Duty Free shops are empty, whilst those still open are nothing like they used to be. Restaurants and banks no longer operate like they used to.
Information display screens do not work, the place used to be colourful but now it’s so dull makes you wonder if there is still anyone looking after this important place.
Parking at the Airport costs a cool $1 million per hour, and with the Air Zimbabwe delays I think the airport authorities make reasonable money from parking fees. Which should surely go towards maintaining the infrastructure at the airport.
However with the way service standards are falling and the deteriorating infrastructure it’s going to take a lot of effort and money to bring back the exceptional quality and service standards back to Harare International Airport.
In My visit to Zimbabwe Part 4: If you didn’t have any reason to hate Mugabe, visit Harare today and you will see why the majority of Zimbabweans don’t like him anymore.
Feel free to add your views and comments on the situation in Zimbabwe today.
Related posts:
- My Visist to Zimbabwe: The humanitarian crisis in Zimbabwe is far much greater than many people think!
- International buyers arrive for Zimbabwe Tourism Fair
- Zimbabwe: $50 Million For Maternity Booking Fee in Harare!
- Bulwayo to host Zimbabwe International Travel Expo 2008
- Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry parades her medals through Harare City Centre