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Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport
Zimbabwe's second-busiest airport serving the historic city of Bulawayo.
- ›The airport was renamed after Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, a key figure in Zimbabwe's independence movement.
- ›It serves as a gateway to major tourist destinations including Hwange National Park and Matobo Hills.
- ›The airport has an elevation of approximately 1,359 meters (4,459 feet) above sea level.
- ›Bulawayo is Zimbabwe's second-largest city and the airport is the second busiest in the country.
- ›The ICAO code was updated to FVJN following the airport's renaming.
Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport serves Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city and the industrial heart of Matabeleland. Named after the iconic Zimbabwean nationalist leader Joshua Nkomo, the airport has served the region since the colonial era and remains the primary air link for southwestern Zimbabwe. It connects Bulawayo to Harare and select regional destinations, supporting both commerce and tourism to nearby attractions such as Matobo National Park.
- Main Terminal — A single-terminal facility handling all domestic and limited international arrivals and departures with basic passenger amenities.
- Metered taxis available outside the arrivals hall
- Ride-hailing services including Vaya Africa operate in Bulawayo
- Private car hire and airport transfer services bookable in advance
- Public minibus (kombi) routes connecting airport to city centre
- Car rental desks available at the terminal
- Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel
- Cresta Churchill Hotel
- Holiday Inn Bulawayo
- Nesbitt Castle Hotel
- The Grey's Inn
Dining options inside the terminal are limited, with a small café offering light snacks, beverages, and basic meals for departing passengers. The city of Bulawayo, roughly 15 kilometres away, offers a wider variety of restaurants serving Zimbabwean cuisine as well as international options. Travellers are advised to eat before arriving at the airport if they have specific dietary requirements.
- Arrive at least 90 minutes before domestic flights as check-in procedures can vary and staffing may be limited.
- Carry local Zimbabwe dollars (ZiG) or US dollars as card payment infrastructure at the airport can be unreliable.
- Pre-book your taxi or transfer as metered taxis at the airport can be scarce during off-peak hours.
- If visiting Matobo National Park, arrange a guided tour from Bulawayo city rather than expecting airport-based operators.
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Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport is an airport serving Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe. It is located approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) north of Bulawayo city centre.
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