A significant milestone was achieved in Zimbabwe’s aviation sector as the first-ever Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner landed at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo. The aircraft, operated by Ethiopian Airlines, arrived as a charter flight carrying the South Africa Under-19 cricket team for the ICC World Cup, receiving a traditional water cannon salute upon arrival.
Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) officials hailed the event as a major development that demonstrates the airport’s capability to handle large, modern aircraft. The successful landing is seen as an opportunity to attract more direct international flights and boost economic activity in the region by enabling larger passenger and cargo payloads into Bulawayo.
ACZ management expressed a commitment to engaging with carriers like Ethiopian Airlines to explore ways to sustain this level of operation, highlighting the potential for expanded air connectivity to support tourism and trade.
