Flight Simulator Flights at FVFA Victoria Falls International Airport

Victoria Falls International Airport (FVFA/VFA) is Zimbabwe's principal gateway to the Victoria Falls World Heritage Site, lying south-east of the town of Victoria Falls in Matabeleland North Province. It offers a single very long, ILS-equipped hard runway, making it a striking destination for simulator pilots flying into southern Africa. The field is operated by Airports Company Zimbabwe (ACZ) as a regional tourism hub connecting Zimbabwe with neighbouring countries.

Overview

Victoria Falls International Airport serves the town of Victoria Falls and the adjacent World Heritage Site of the same name, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Operated by Airports Company Zimbabwe (ACZ), the airport is promoted as a regional tourism hub, providing onward connections across Southern Africa. For a simulator pilot, the field is notable for its single exceptionally long runway, equipped with an ILS, set against the backdrop of the Zambezi River and the falls themselves.

Airspace & Location

The airport lies in Matabeleland North Province, Zimbabwe, some 21 kilometres south-east of Victoria Falls town, near the border area shared with Zambia. Field elevation is 3484 feet.

Runways

The airport has a single physical runway, 12/30, measuring 13140 feet and surfaced in hard material. Both directions are lit, and an ILS is provided for runway 12.

Radio & Navigation

Air traffic services are provided by Falls Approach and Falls Tower, both operating on 121.1 MHz. An ILS is available on runway 12.

Visual Reference Points

The Victoria Falls themselves, spanning 1,708 metres wide and 108 metres high on the Zambezi River, lie close to the town and serve as the principal visual landmark of the area, with the airport situated some 21 kilometres to the south-east.

History

Victoria Falls International Airport began operations in 1966 as a regional airport and occupies approximately 500 hectares of land. It forms part of the Kavango Zambezi Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA), an international eco-tourism development area spanning Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana and Angola.

The Airfield Today

The airport is managed by Airports Company Zimbabwe (ACZ), which operates eight airports across the country. It functions as a regional tourism hub, with connections advertised to eight Southern African countries within two hours flying time, including Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi and Mozambique.