African Pilot Magazine

Strategic Importance of Aviation

  1. Zambia recognises aviation as a key driver of economic development and a catalyst for tourism, transport, and logistics.
  2. The National Civil Aviation Strategy provides a framework for achieving sustainable growth in the sector.

Infrastructure Development

  1. Significant investments in airport upgrades to international standards:
    • Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka ($360 million).
    • Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Airport in Ndola ($397 million).
  2. Plans to refurbish and upgrade airports across all provinces, enhancing regional connectivity and infrastructure.

Airport Management and Operations

  1. Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) manages four designated international airports, demonstrating a structured approach to airport operations.

Passenger Growth and Recovery

  1. Passenger traffic recovery to pre-COVID-19 levels (119% of 2019 levels) by early 2024.
  2. Kenneth Kaunda International Airport leads with 133% recovery, while Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport lags at 71%.

International Airline Partnerships and Expansion

  1. Airlines like Mozambique Airlines, FlySafair, and Angolan Airlines are expressing interest in restarting flights to Zambia.
  2. Existing airlines servicing Zambia include Kenya Airways, Qatar Airways, RwandAir, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, and others.
  3. The Civil Aviation Authority issued an Air Operators Certificate to Sarago Air, indicating expansion in local aviation operations.

National Airline Relaunch

  1. Zambia Airways relaunched in 2021, operating domestic and Southern African regional flights.
  2. The airline is considered a critical enabler of tourism and economic activities.

Tourism and Logistics Hub Vision

  1. The government aims to transform Zambia into a regional transport and logistics hub, leveraging aviation as a core enabler.

Tourism Recovery Challenges

  1. Slow recovery in tourist-driven air traffic, with Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport lagging behind, highlighting the need for targeted efforts in tourism promotion.

International Certification Standards

  1. Upgrades to international certification standards enhance Zambia’s global aviation competitiveness and attractiveness to international airlines.

Emerging Opportunities