HARARE – Flights at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport were temporarily disrupted on Monday 18th December 2023 after a RwandAir plane en route to Cape Town experienced a tyre burst during take-off.
The incident, which occurred around 12:45 pm, led to the closure of the runway until 3:10 pm, affecting several flights.
The RwandAir flight, identified as WB110, had 65 passengers and eight crew members on board.
Although the tyre burst caused a disruption, there were no injuries reported.
Passengers and crew safety remained the top priority during the incident.
Tonderai Mangombe, the Public Relations and Communications Manager at the Airports Company of Zimbabwe, provided details about the incident.
“RwandAir flight WB110 with 65 passengers and eight crew members en route to Cape Town experienced a tyre burst during take-off run at 12:45 pm, resulting in a temporary disruption of service on the runway. We are pleased to report that there were no injuries recorded as a result of this incident.”
RwandAir tyre burst incident resolved
Mangombe commended the quick response and professionalism of the RwandAir crew, along with the airport’s rescue and firefighting services.
The situation was resolved by 3:10 pm, and normal operations resumed at the airport.
“ACZ would like to reaffirm to the public that the RG Mugabe International Airport has a state-of-the-art and newly rehabilitated runway that meets all international safety standards and requirements,” Mangombe added.
The Airports Company of Zimbabwe expressed gratitude to all involved parties, including RwandAir and Air Zimbabwe teams, for their cooperation during the swift resolution.
Despite the inconvenience caused by the disruption, the company apologized to passengers and airlines, emphasizing their appreciation for understanding and cooperation during the incident.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures in aviation, ensuring the well-being of all passengers and crew.
