The Minister of Transport and Logistics Frank Tayali says there is a need to address issues affecting the aviation industry in an effort to make air travel an alternative local mode of transport.
Mr Tayali says he will work closely with the technocrats in the aviation sector so that local air travel becomes affordable especially among Zambians.
The Minister explained that with upgraded aviation infrastructure, local citizens ought to enjoy the benefits of travelling by air.
Speaking when he toured the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, Mr. Tayali noted that the new terminal is a marvel as it matches to the international standards.
He stressed the need to commercialize the facility in order for the country to reap the much-needed returns.
Mr. Tayali said the transport and logistics industry has a direct bearing on various sectors such as trade and investment and tourism.
He explained that the government will fully utilize the transport sector as enshrined into the party manifesto.
“Part of the challenge I have is to get to the bottom of why local air travel is as expensive as international,” Mr. Tayali stated.
The Minister was impressed with the works so far at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
He however, expressed concern at Simon Kapwepwe International Airport which is supposed to be operational in the next two weeks but does not seem so as works are underway.
Zambia Airports Corporation Limited Communication and Brands Manager Mweembe Sikaulu disclosed that the commissioning of the new terminal passengers are happy with the infrastructure.
Ms. Sikaulu explained that the new terminal houses international flights while the old terminal has domestic flights.
She added that with easing of COVID-19 restrictions in borders, air traffic is steadily improving in the country.
THANK YOU ECL WHILE HH GIVES MONEY TO QATAR AIRWAYS.
This minister is dead meat to Spaka and Co for praising the criminal regime of Edgar.!!!!!
WHERE IS YOUR ZAMBIAN AIRWAYS BEFORE SHOUTING YOUR MOUTH OFF
I PUT IT TO YOU THE NATIONAL AIRLINE WILL NOT LAST LONG IN THIS VERY COMPETITIVE FIELD
EVEN IDI AMIN HAD A WHOLE HOARD OF SUPPOTERS SO I AM NOT AT ALL SURPRISED THE PF REGIME IS SUPPORTED ON HERE
LETS RESERVE JUDGEMENT TILL AFTER THE COURT CASES BEGIN
Yes its a great new airport terminal but not on par with big African airports like Jomo Kenyatta in Kenya and Bole Addis Ababa .KKIA is still a baby in terms of passenger numbers.
Yes Bole International Airport is big but dirty. They need to work on the sanitary facilities. Besides, how do they allow women clean men’s toilets. It is unacceptable to find women in the gents.
Thumbs to ECL
#4 tikki it’s obvious you have not embraced democracy. So you want all the 18m people to be Upnd members. Sorry nothing has changed except the resident of plot 1
Thank you ECL!!
There are a lot of pluses in favor of ECL except that wrongs outweigh these. But then he’s just a mere mortal.
Viva new don!!
Buying a new car, the owner is always not to let pass through rough roads. But when he gets used to it he does care which road he uses. Time is coming
Wait! time is coming
The terminal is not even fully operational. Major airlines like emirates are still using the old terminal. We dont even have rapid pcr covid 19 test facilities there which has now become the hallmark of all major airports.
#2 Deja Vu
September 21, 2021 At 1:39 pm
“..This minister is dead meat to Spaka and Co for praising the criminal regime of Edgar.!!!!!……”
For that inflated cost , based on catering for 2 million passengers pa or 5400 passengers per day or 54 planes landing everyday including Sundays !!!!
It is too expensive and was meant to pay commission to lungu and his gang….
You will praise anything….
#5.1 John Phiri. I don’t like that airport. Unfortunately Ethiopian Airways is preferred by my sponsor.
#14 Spaka. It’s taken you long to answer
Good evening.
UMUNTU NI EDGAR…….
Airports, roads , bridges, clinics , hospitals, schools, universities,…….. muletasha!!!!! Welldone minister …..this is the new dawn!! and please tell HH to appreciate good things .
The construction of the new terminal and airport was actually MMD plan and all the paper work was done by the MMD. PF and Sata were actually busy insulting and cursing about that project but realised it was important even though it was extremely inflated so ba Mwankole can get kick backs. Former president Lungu never initiated any projects except continue what had already been started by the Sata regime and those that began with ba mudala ba Rupiah Banda.
So ECL did marvelous things after all? Coming from upnd itself. Thanks for the admission!
Ba observer naimwe, fimbi tulesuminafye, always ama spanner? Awe bane. It’s not just airports, but alot of other infrastructure projects. Do you surely want to argue even on things that you can see??
Observer speak from an informed point of view. This was Mr Satas project MMD never had an airport project in mind or kick started anything. This started in the PF regime including conceiving of the idea. The PF did a lot of wrong things which we are all not happy about but this was there project from inception to completion.
#20 It used to take me two hours to drive from Kitwe to Chingola but now it’s taking me thirty minutes because of the new dual carriage. The only problem is that the Chinese even bring ordinary helpers from China instead of using labour from within.
#21 Kopala Link Zambia 8,000 was Sata’s idea and his greatest passion to join all parts of the country with good roads. Previous goverments were not brave enough to invest in infrastructure because this would take money away from subsidies like mealie meal and hence the rise in food prices.
KKIA is indeed a masterpiece. I have been there. Thanks Minister for giving credit where credit is due.
So how many airlines actually come through Zambia? It’s a hub to where again?
Having a shiny new airport for little air traffic doesn’t make a whole lot a sense. This is not build and they will come.
Bad enough before covid, but now?
It’s “dawn” not “don” HAALUBONO
New DON futi???
Well, we won vasililamo!!!
Sadly someone who has not seen a $400 million Airport would say KKIA is a marvel but us in the industry know better, its like taking someone from the compound with an outside latrine to an average cost 3 bed house in Woodlands with everything they will say its a marvel no care about the price. That KKIA project cost was inflated and the bills of quantity reduced…it will need a new terminal in 5 years.
This minister should have thought carefully about his statement before opening his mouth…remember Chitotela was the corrupt Minister in charge of that project at procurement stage.
They should remove chinese adverts on it. Are we in China for God sake.
Monze – The Chinks own that airport till you pay up the loan…the Chinks practically own you!!
PURGE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND RELATED ENTERPRISES
The ministry of Transport and Communication has huge potential to create revenue. Unfortunately, this ministry is plagued by carderism, favoritism and outright mediocrity. This is a ministry which never advertises jobs to begin with: people only get jobs by knowing somebody.
All parastatals and Authorities attached to the ministry seem to detest qualified professionals. This is one ministry where people with degrees and higher education are frowned upon: promotion is based on carderism, tribalism or favoritism. This status quo frustrates every effort we make to improve revenue collection for the treasury.
To give an example, we have written many proposals and concept notes on how our water transport system can be improved…
Ba Tarino, you are insulting your own upnd minister!
The UPND and the PF are just the same.
How can the dull Minister start praising a structure built with corruption and at a huge cost to the tax payer.
Lawyers are very useless people.
Have you already forgotten in 2011 when PF came into power there was already plans for the new airport and state house by the Rupiah administration? Updated: October 14, 2011 President Sata cancels New State House and Airport Projects, however the airport project went on and this why I say it was not initiated by EL.
How much does it cost to pay for thumbs up?. It seems this post is well oiled to recover lost fortunes.
Built to cater for 2 million passengers pa , or 5400 passengers per day or 54 planes landing everyday including Sundays !!!!
You got scamed…….
i thought the finishing inside the building has issues Hon Minister. Have a detailed check eg the ceiling…general doors including the doors to the elevator doors; then come back to me sir.
The price tag sees to it that the airport is meant to cater for 2 million passengers pa , or 5400 passengers per day or 54 planes landing everyday carrying 100 passengers each including Sundays !!!!
That’s like selling a Bentley to a peasant village farmer………..
Yes , the Bentley is world standard ,looks nice , but was it the best car for the farmer ???
Hope they won’t disrupt the Kashiba bridge construction on the Luapula River.
I need someone to tell me if a big chunck of the 1.8m voters for pf were these bridges, terminals, roads, assuming they gave them voters cards, they keep talking about. Kanshi they shud’ve built more and given all of them voters cards ayi? otherwise why thank ecl, or any of the pf , for doing his job? was he not and probably still enjoying his conditions as president or former as it were? shaaaaaa!!!!!!!!