EU expected to lift ban on Aircrafts Registered in Zambia

THE European Union (EU) is next month expected to lift the ban on Zambian registered aircrafts which was effected about five years go.

Last year, the EU conducted an evaluation on the Zambian aviation sector to determine whether to lift the ban or not.

Transport and Communication Minister Kapembwa Simbao said the EU was next month expected to lift the ban on Zambian registered aircrafts, saying that the planes would now be allowed to fly into the international airspace.

Mr Simbao said during a Press briefing on Monday that it was possible that the ban would be lifted next month after meeting the requirements.

He said Zambia had met more than 60 per cent of the total requirements and since the pass mark was 60, it had passed the test.

“We have passed all the tests because the aviation industry’s pass mark is 60 per cent, but the last time we scored 63 per cent and they were surprised that we had scored that high,” he said.

Mr Simbao said EU officials came to Zambia to take the audit data themselves and they were happy to see the results.

Last year former EU head of delegation to Zambia and representative to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa Gilles Hervio said the EU had taken into account the progress being made towards lifting the ban.

He said it was the expectation of the European body that before the ban was lifted, the new Aviation Act would be in place with accompanying regulations.