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Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Explore Bulawayo city guide Navigate to this airport

Routes out

Destinations

ICAO

FVJN

Elevation

4359 ft

The gateway in a glance

The Essence of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport

BUQ

Location

Bulawayo · BU · Zimbabwe

Connectivity

4 routes · 3 destinations

Position

-20.016°, 28.623° · 4359 ft elev.

Visa & Entry

e-Visa, Visa on Arrival

AI Travel Editor

A closer look

Living guide content for Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport — read or listen in 46+ languages.

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TravelerPulse profile

Zimbabwe's second-largest international gateway serving Bulawayo.

Opened

1929

Location

Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport is the principal airport serving Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city and the country's industrial and cultural hub. The airport was renamed in honor of Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, a founding father of Zimbabwe and prominent nationalist leader. The airport handles both domestic and regional international traffic, connecting Bulawayo to destinations within Zimbabwe and neighboring southern African countries. It serves as an important gateway for tourists visiting nearby attractions such as the Matobo National Park and the Victoria Falls region. The facility has undergone infrastructure improvements in recent years to expand capacity and upgrade passenger amenities, though it remains smaller in scale compared to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare.

Terminals

The airport operates a single passenger terminal handling both domestic and international arrivals and departures.

Getting to & from

The airport is located approximately 22 kilometers north of Bulawayo city center, accessible by road via taxis and private transfers.

Airlines here

Air Zimbabwe operates domestic routes from Bulawayo, with regional carriers providing limited international connectivity.

Notable facts

›Named after Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo, a key figure in Zimbabwe's independence movement.
›Serves as the main aviation hub for Matabeleland region.
›Located near Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city.
›Provides access to tourism destinations including Matobo Hills UNESCO World Heritage Site.
›Previously known simply as Bulawayo Airport before being renamed.

Wikipedia

This profile is provided for general information only. Details may be inaccurate or outdated — always verify with the airport's official website before acting on them.

Route map (3 destinations)

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap © CARTO

Airlines serving this airport

South African Airways

Air Zimbabwe

Routes

BUQ → JNBSA · AR8

BUQ → HREUM · 732

BUQ → JNBUM · 762

BUQ → VFAUM · 732

Aircraft operating here

Boeing 737-2002 routes Avro RJ851 routes Boeing 767-2001 routes

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City & Place Guide

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Passport, Visa & Immigration

Flying internationally via BUQ? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Zimbabwe from official government sources.

Zimbabwe visa & entry information →Embassy & consulate finder →

Encyclopaedia

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.

Read full article on Wikipedia

Latest news

PressReader· 8/2/2026

A painful homecoming: Zandile and daughters return to Bulawayo | Sunday News (Zimbabwe)

Read at PressReader

NewZimbabwe.com· 5/10/2022

Uproar over Mthwakazi symbol removal from Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Airport billboard

Read at NewZimbabwe.com

Atta Travel.· 10/16/2023

Zimbabwe’s tourism sector is poised for a boom with upgraded airports

Read at Atta Travel.

allAfrica.com· 1/28/2022

Zimbabwe: Plane Makes U-Turn After Failing to Land in Bulawayo Due Power Cuts - Fastjet Confirms

Read at allAfrica.com

VOA Zimbabwe· 12/20/2013

Govt to Unveil Joshua Nkomo Statue

Read at VOA Zimbabwe

techzim.co.zw· 1/26/2022

Fastjet flight forced to return to Hre after Byo airport had no ZESA?

Read at techzim.co.zw

About on Wikipedia

Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport

Airport in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

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.

Read on Wikipedia

Text from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA. May be out of date — verify important details.