The Zambia Airports Corporation Limited has confirmed that Qatar Airways, one of the Five Star Airlines in the world, will commence flights between Doha and Lusaka during the first Quarter of 2017.
The commencement of the Qatar Airways flights will help realize the strategic objective of turning Kenneth Kaunda International Airport into a regional hub, as Lusaka presents with characteristics of a natural hub due to its centrality.
Corporation Managing Director Mr Robinson Misitala said the development was a step in the right direction as it comes in the wake of massive infrastructure development currently being undertaken by the Zambian government at all four international airports namely, Kenneth Kaunda, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula and Mfuwe International Airports.
Mr Misitala said in order to sustain these developments, there is need to stimulate demand through introduction of new airline routes and operators.
Mr. Misitala further indicated that commencement of Qatar Airways flights will create an alternative option for connection through the Middle East which will ease network connectivity beyond Doha and open new opportunities in tourism and export potential.
He said this also provides the Zambian traveller with a wider choice of travel options and indeed increased capacity to support both passenger travel and cargo movement.
“Our expectation as Zambia Airports Corporation Limited, is that we will tap into a new market exclusive to Qatar Airways in terms of holiday which will entail growth in our traffic numbers. We further expect that our Zambian business entities will take advantage of the new market and explore new export markets especially from an agricultural product perspective. The airline will start by operating three (3) weekly flights using 254 seater Dreamliner (B787) direct between Doha and Lusaka,” he said.
He added, “They are in the process of confirming slot allocations with the relevant authorities in Doha after which the airline schedule will be communicated. Zambia Airports Corporation Limited is happy to state that the continued interest in destination Zambia by various airlines is testimony of the growth potential it has.”
Mr. Misitala implored all stakeholders to play their part in the continued development of the aviation industry and its related industries and consequently contribute positively to the growth of the Zambian Economy.
He also said that the Corporation is still in discussions with Fastjet Airlines and Turkish Airlines who have also expressed interest in Zambia.
If Zambia establishes its own airline, it’s gonna have a lot of tough competition, profits won’t be easy to come by with competition from the likes of Qatar airways.
ARE YOU SCARED OF COMPETITION? COMPETITION PROMOTES THINKING/INNOVATION. ZAMBIA IS WHAT IT IS TODAY BECAUSE FOR AGES THERE WERE NO COMPETITION AMONG BUSINESSES SINCE ALL WERE PUBLICLY OWNED BUSINESSES. AND MIND YOU ZAMBIA WILL PARTNER WITH FRANCE WHICH WILL USE ITS AIRBUS COMPANY TO EQUIP THE RE-ESTABLISHED AIRLINE. THIS IS A VERY GOOD AND HELPFUL GESTURE FROM THE FRENCH PRESIDENT Mr HOLANDE TO ZAMBIA. YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BETTER. HE HAS PROMISED TO TRAIN ENGINEERS, PILOTS AND OTHER RELATED EXPERTS USING AIRBUS ITSELF. UNLESS WE ARE *****S. THIS SHOULD GIVE ZAMBIA AN OPPORTUNITY TO FLY TO DESTINATIONS WITH HIGH POTENTIAL FOR TOURISTS.
That airline would not last a month against these guys who have deep poxkets and free jet fuel on tap….why do you even need one with all these airlines
The establishment of a national airline will only benefit from the in-flow of these foreign airlines. Mind you most of these passengers coming from outside countries will always need connecting flights e.g. from KK International Airport to Ndola or to Livingstone or Chipata etc. etc. Foreign airlines will not cater for these local connecting flights and that is where the National Airline will have to capitalize on.
Secondly we do not have many foreign airlines coming to Zambia due to lack of local connecting flights. Most airlines do not want their passengers to get stranded once they land in Lusaka.
C-General
So is that why Lungu is buying Airbus to fly to Mfuwe, Chipata and Mongu.
Wake up!!
Every thing it’s politics why? Competition is good for business
I had a terrible experience with this Airline in Doha, I `ll never fly it again.
So long as tax payers money or a loan is obtained to create an airline it comes politocal simple as that!!
Typical reasoning of Kachema led party. Which renowned International Airport only serves its own Airline? Please the world is now a global village and competition is inevitable and you are the chaps who want to rule Zambia, forget it.
This is a very good development.
Would one say to Kenya Airways, Namibia Air or Ethiopian Airlines take into account, competion won’t be easy because you have a lot of different airlines landing in your capitals??? Please people think!
The more airlines landing it Zambia the better, stop being negative at everything and give credit where due
@ Janda
Just imagine! Those are the policies of UPND ifyakumushi. And yet they brag that their Kachema is an economic manager, to hell.
AS SUCH INDUSTRIES [AIRLINE(AND THE MODERNISATION OF AIRPORTS), TOURISM] ZAMBIA MUST SERIOUSLY CONSIDER DE-CORRUPTING ALL THE COUNTRY’S SECURITY WINGS (THE POLICE, DEC, PARAMILITARY AND RED BRICK) AND RETRAIN (THE POLICE, DEC, PARAMILITARY, RED BRICK, NATIONAL SERVICE AND THE ARMY). I AM PRETTY SURE ANYONE WOULD AGREE WITH ME THAT OUR SECURITY STANDARDS (TO SAFE-GUARD THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL VISITORS) ARE A JOKE. AND THIS IS MAINLY DUE TO THE CORRUPTNESS OF ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT WINGS. AS STARTS TO ATTRACT MORE AIRLINES TO THE COUNTRY AND THEREFORE, MORE INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS, THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE REMINDED THAT EVEN TERRORISTS WILL BE ATTRACTED TO THE COUNTRY IN PURSUIT OF MAINLY WESTERN TOURISTS. TO MINIMISE PROBABILITIES OF ATTACKS AND TO MANAGE THE EXTENT OF LOSS OF LIFE AND…
TO MINIMISE PROBABILITIES OF ATTACKS AND TO MANAGE THE EXTENT OF LOSS OF LIFE AND PROPERTY DAMAGE, THE ZAMBIA GOVERNMENT MUST SERIOUSLY RETHINK ITS POSITION ON THE SECURITY OF THE COUNTRY. THE GOVERNMENT (GRZ) MUST START INVESTING HEAVILY IN SECURITY AND ALL SECURITY AIDS, GRZ MUST RE-TRAIN ALL SECURITY PERSONNEL TO INCLUDE TERRORISM ATTACKS AVOIDANCE AND MANAGEMENT. CORRUPTION AT ANY LEVEL MUST SERIOUSLY BE CRIMINALISED. JUST LIKE ALL ZAMBIANS WERE MILITARILY TRAINED IN THE YEARS OF APARTHEID, ALL ZAMBIANS MUST BE TRAINED AND PREPARED FOR TERROR ATTACKS. THERE’S TOO MUCH CORRUPTION IN THE IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT- THEY MUST BE DE-CORRUPTED, TOO IN ORDER TO MAN THE 9 BORDERS EFFECTIVELY. THE 9TH BORDER IS AIRPORTS.
…THE GOVERNMENT HAS A CHOICE- TO START INVESTING MONEY NOW ON RE-TRAINING ALL SECURITY WINGS PERSONNEL AND THE WHOLE NATION OR HEAVILY, SPEND DURING THE ATTACKS WHEN THE LOSSES WILL BE COUNTLESS IN TERMS OF PROPERTY, VISITORS TO THE COUNTRY (TOURISM) AND MOST IMPORTANTLY HUMAN LIFE. I HAVE ALWAYS WONDERED WHY THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION HAVE NOT INTRODUCED ‘TOURISM’ (from pre-school to university level) AS A SUBJECT IN SCHOOLS. THIS SUBJECT CAN INCLUDE TOPICS SUCH AS WASTE MANAGEMENT, PERSONAL HYGIENE, NATURE CONSERVATION, TERROR AWARENESS, HOLIDAYS, FIRST AID, ETC. THESE COURSE CAN PREPARE THE NATION IN MANY THINGS, INCLUDING BEHAVIOR BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER TERROR ATTACKS.
Good news with Nairobi becoming a red alert and RSA being too far we can cash also the prices of tickets will be fair with emirates facing competition from ET and Qatar cannot wait for Turkish to cash in as well….big boost to job market this
this is good news will bring down prices but we now need more regional African flights, you can see Ethiopian is making so much money with inter African flights
Now ask your dull politicians why they really need to waste taxpayers money to create an national airline?
Beautiful this is a good airline, we can then connect to Europe and USA from Doha
Excellent
Nama terrorist bala paka mu Zed fulu!!!
Okay. In one year’s time!! Is this some thing to really be excited about. They even have time to change their minds