Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone
Figures obtained from the Zambia Airports Corporation shows that the country only recorded 300,000 domestic passengers in 2015.
The figures show a major drop from 1990/1991 which used to register around 400,000 domestic passengers in Zambia.
Corporation Managing Director Robinson Misitala said the reduction in the number of Zambians using air travel in and around the country is a major worry.
Mr. Misitala stated that many travellers opt to use buses when visiting various parts of the country therefore a concerted effort should be made to encourage people to fly instead.
He observed that in today’s day and age, Zambians have more disposable income due to the ever growing middle class which should translate into more passenger traffic.
He was speaking recently when the corporation hosted a Stakeholders Strategic Meeting in partnership with the Zambia Tourism Agency to discuss the various issues affecting the aviation and tourism industry in the country.
He explained that the partnership with the Zambia Tourism Agency and other stakeholders is to try and boost tourism and passenger numbers in order for those numbers to increase and be better than what they were in the 90s.
And Zambia Tourism Agency Managing Director Felix Chaila also made a presentation on the various steps the agency has taken to increase tourist arrivals into the country namely including the Launch of the E-visa and the ZTA information centers at the main points of entry.
Mr Chaila also highlighted initiatives such as the Discover Zambia Magazine and the Rebranding of foreign missions and airports.
He further went on to address the cause of the decline of tourists into the country owing to the deadly Ebola virus, Border crossing hurdles, police road blocks, EU ban on the black listing of Zambian Registered aircrafts as well as airline connectivity to Africa.
The meeting was attended by various stakeholders ranging from airlines, tour operators, hoteliers and the Civil Aviation Authority.
LT….most people are driving these days….flying going where? and how do you compare 1990 to 2016….
Anyway
2016 vote for PF ( Edgar )
I thank you
We speak of a growing middle class, but this is now a part of history. In 2015, our economy tumbled faster than any other in the world. Our currency plummeted like no other. One by one, the middle class began to fall. Suddenly, those in debt, suffered deeper debts. Those mentally healthy, became depressed. Once upon a time we could fly. Now, some of us drive. And some of walk.
This will be eroded further by the invasion of airports by Kadansa’s militia.
Less local and especially foreign tourists is because of our filth surroundings. Who would like to come and see such filth in Lusaka? I have friends who only talk of going to Namibia, Botswana and South Africa in our region.
@KK airport cabinet
You hate Zambia with a passion…all these countries you’ve mentioned have some filthy places too…go to Tati town in Francis Town,Botswana…go to Alexandra or Thembisa in Joberg RSA…go to Katatura in Windhoek Namibia….
Just be proud of where you come from….”Mwiponta mukabwela ” and make sure your papers are in order where ever you are…
2016 vote PF ( Edgar )
I thank you
tourisim cam be a major employer in Zambia but PF has destroyed this once thriving industry with their corruption and missmangment. They go and put a grade 7 marketeer as tourisim minister.
There were more people flying in the 1990/1991 because no one paid for flights then. “Va Boma” mentality. People jumped on Zambia airways flights for Free. How do explain more people flying and the collapse of the airline?
You mean to tell us that PF police road blocks have affected domestic flying?
This is not surprising especially that you have a dull empty tin in the name of Jean Kapata as a tourism minister….in fact someone somewhere will even get a bonus as failure is glorified in this regime!!
@Katondo Boys: Leave the honourable KK Airport Cabinet alone. People who are criticising the incompetent and visionless PF do not hate Zambia but have a heart to see Zambia get better. What have you been smoking my boy?
“He observed that in today’s day and age, Zambians have more disposable income due to the ever growing middle class which should translate into more passenger traffic.”
mmmmm No No. very few people have some money to fly from Lusaka to livingstone. The economy is still biting. Majority earners in Zambia are civil servants, and they usually don’t save, or go for holidays. They think twice on paying about K1000 and fly 2 hours from Lusaka to Kasama against paying about K200 and travel by bus for about 10 hours, saving about K800.
In the age of man-made climate change, one has to ask whether copying the developed world’s fashion for cheap subsidised air travel is where the sustainable future lies. In my view, men of integrity should be flying less these days not more. There are Parliamentary politicians in the UK like Jeremy Corbyn who cycle to work!