Despite the turbulent period brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant increase in fuel prices, Zambia’s aviation industry saw record-breaking tourist arrivals last year.
In 2023, Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) served 2 056 312 general passengers, which is the highest number of passengers recorded by the corporation since its inception in 1989.
According to the airports company, this represents an increase of 24% when compared with 1 653 077 passengers recorded in 2022 and a recovery to pre-COVID levels of 111% when compared with 1 850 715 passengers recorded in 2019.
The highest recovery rate was at Ndola’s Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport at 123% recovery, and the lowest was at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone at 60% recovery compared with 2019.
ZACL statistics further show that international passengers recovered by 103%, with Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka recording the highest recovery of 115%. Livingstone, which mainly serves the tourism industry, continued at a slow pace with recovery at only 45% in 2023. Nevertheless, this was an improvement when compared with a recovery of 39% recorded in 2022.
International pax growth
International passenger performance was driven by the complete removal of COVID-19 requirements by the Ministry of Health in March last year, in addition to sporting events held in the country such as the Barcelona Legends vs Zambia Legends Exhibition Football Match in May as well as the hosting of various meetings and conferences, which included the Summit for Democracy, the 16th COMESA Business Forum, the 22nd Summit of COMESA Heads of State and the CANSO Africa Conference.
The commencement of flights by LAM into Lusaka and FlySafair into Livingstone from Johannesburg as well as the introduction of new routes by Zambia Airways (Lusaka-Harare and Lusaka-Johannesburg) and Proflight Zambia (Lusaka-Cape Town) played a significant role in boosting passenger numbers.
Domestic pax recovery
Domestic passengers recovered by 140% with all airports surpassing pre-COVID passenger levels. Ndola recorded the highest recovery of 173% as the Lusaka-Ndola route was the busiest in the period under review.
The positive domestic performance can be attributed to the competitive pricing being offered by domestic airlines for flights to and from Lusaka as well as the resumption of the Ndola-Mansa route by Proflight Zambia. In addition, the continued hosting of various meetings in Livingstone by professional bodies has continued to be a significant contributor to domestic passenger performance.
“Going into 2024, Zambia Airports Corporation Limited anticipates continued growth in general passenger traffic largely driven by trade and tourism at all airports. Additionally, the commissioning of Kasama Airport will have a positive impact on domestic performance as Proflight Zambia is scheduled to resume flights to the destination in the first quarter of the year.
“The corporation is also in the process of refurbishing other aerodromes around the country that serve the domestic market,” Zambia Airports Corporation Limited said in a press release.
“As a corporation, we will continue to engage key stakeholders in the industry to ensure further collaboration in order to make Zambia an attractive and affordable destination, with a focus on seamless air travel which will aid in attracting more business tourism including the hosting of meetings and conferences.”
