Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, Zambia, is undergoing a US$360 million expansion project that will see passenger-handling capacity increasing to six million. The airport currently handles two million passengers annually.

Completion is expected in 2019.

According to Zambia Airports Corporation, the Chinese-funded project is already under way, with the foundation level complete.

Communication and Brand Manager, Mweembe Sikaulu, said the biggest airport in the country would have a new international terminal, air traffic control tower, rescue and fire services as well as two hotels within the airport.

She said the existing airport infrastructure would be turned into a domestic terminal.

“Everything is going on schedule and we expect construction to be completed in 2019. An airport is a gateway to any destination, hence we want Kenneth Kaunda Airport to become a hub in Africa,” said Sikaulu.

Regarding hotels, Sikaulu said one hotel located in one of the wings of the airport would be a three-star facility while the other, to be built outside the airport, would be a five-star facility with conferencing rooms.

She said the airport was being expanded to bring convenience to visitors and create direct flights with different markets. “The new airport will be shaped like an eagle which is the Zambian trademark,” she said adding that the project was meant to spearhead not only economic development in the Southern African country, but ensure tourism growth.

Meanwhile, Sikaulu said the aviation authority was working on additional projects at the country’s other airports, namely Copperbelt International Airport (Ndola) and Mfuwe Airport.

She said construction was due to begin at Copperbelt Airport later this year at an estimated cost of $397 million.

“This will be a green field airport with a new area of construction having been identified and new runways to be constructed. It will also have one hotel outside,” she said adding that the shape of the new airport was inspired by mineral exploration in the region.

Ministry of Tourism Permanent Secretary, Stephen Mwansa, said the upgrades at the international airports would boost arrivals into Zambia and develop the tourism sector.

“The process of building international airports will contribute to the growth of Zambia’s tourism industry. There are a lot of opportunities for development of the sector and the aviation sector enables tourism growth,” said Mwansa.

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