Zambia Airways Receives First Aircraft Ahead Of Maiden Flight

Zambia Airways has received its first aircraft, ahead of the commencement of its commercial operations on December 1st.

The new plane in question is a 70-seater Bombardier Dash 8 Q-400, the first of six planes the airline is expected to operate. The craft touched down at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 13:30 Hours, and its arrival was honoured with a traditional water cannon salute.

Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali was in attendance to receive the aircraft once Ethiopian Airlines handed it over to the Zambia Airways crew. Ethiopian co-owns the new national flag-carrier with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).

“My ministry welcomes the relaunch of Zambia Airways… Contrary to anxieties and fears, Zambia Airways should not be looked at as coming to kill the private sector. Instead, it will promote competition and the beneficiaries will be the people of Zambia,” Mr Tayali said.

He stressed that the airline would be critical to the growth of the tourism sector and related industries such as hotels and restaurants in Zambia.

Similarly, thirty Zambian cabin crew and pilots have already been recruited and trained at the Ethiopian Aviation Academy. 

Chairman of the new Zambia Airways Board, Mr Bonaventure Mutale, was also at hand to give a statement. Mr Mutale said the relaunch of Zambia Airways after an almost 30-year absence was a major milestone in the Zambian aviation history.

“The arrival of the aircraft is a firm statement by the Board and Management that Zambia Airways is commencing operations on December 1. The re-emergence of a national carrier comes with pride to the Zambian people,” Mr Mutale said.

Having initially intended to begin operations in 2019, before having plans scuppered by the pandemic, the news that the airline is on track to meet the new start date is welcome. 

As of Wednesday it will commence domestic flights from its hub in Lusaka to Ndola and Livingstone five and six times a week, respectively.

The airline will then introduce additional domestic routes to Mfuwe and Solwezi, and regional destinations to Johannesburg and Harare in the first quarter of 2022.