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Zambian Airways has acquired an additional aircraft, Boeing 737-800, for its South African route after it was granted a foreign operator permit by the South African authorities.
The company is expected to commence scheduled flights to South Africa in the second quarter of 2023.
Speaking on Tuesday in South Africa, Minister of Transport and Logistics, Frank Tayali said having Zambia Airways extending its tentacles into South Africa was a positive development for the country as this will mean more business for the company.
Tayali said the vision of the government is to transform Zambia into an aviation hub because of being geographically and strategically located and that local companies in transport and logistics must take advantage of this position by extending their business into the region.
He said to actualise the vision of making Zambia an aviation hub, government has embarked on upgrading of provincial and strategic airports and that once completed, these infrastructures will also enhance and promote tourism, trade, and ease movement of people.
He said in addition to the ongoing works at the Kasama Airport which are scheduled to be completed in 2023, the Kasaba Bay strategic Greenfield Airport project once completed will unlock the tourism potential in the northern circuit of Zambia.
He said other projects include the Choma Provincial Airport and the upgrade of the Aerodromes such as Solwezi, Mongu, Mansa, and Chipata.
The Minister said the signing of the Lobito Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (LCTTFA) has numerous benefits which include, promoting infrastructure development, transit- transport cooperation and cross border trade.
He said this was aimed at unlocking the business potential along the corridor through effective participation of Small and Medium Enterprises in transport value chains, boosting private sector investment, creating jobs, and fostering economic growth.
Meanwhile, Tayali said the Lusaka-Ndola Dual Carriageway was part of the North-South transport development corridor as well as the Walvis Bay-Ndola Lubumbashi corridor which play a significant role in economic development of the country.
He said the government was expected to draw numerous benefits such as enhanced national and regional trade facilitation, economic transformation, and job creation, enhanced road safety, and local companies’ participation as sub-contractors.
Tayali and his team were in South Africa at the invitation of Down Touch Investment (PVT) Limited of South Africa.
This is contained in a statement issued by First Secretary Press and Public Relations at Zambia High Commission South Africa Tamara Nyirenda.
Contributed by: Julius Phiri
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