The Zambia Airports Corporation has confirmed that it is in talks with several potential clients who are interested in flying to Lusaka, with Qatar Airways set to commence direct flights to Zambia next year.

Communication and Brand Manager, Mweembe Sikaulu, said as Zambia strived to become an aviation hub in the region, ZAC was engaging a number of airlines to service the country’s routes and create direct flights with different markets in Europe and other regions.

“It has been confirmed that Qatar Airways will commence flights here in 2017 and we are currently also engaged in talks with Turkish Airlines to service the Zambia route,” said Sikaulu.

She said Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka was already handling large aircraft such as the Boeing 777, which Ethiopian Airlines and Emirates operate on the route.

Sikaulu said passengers found connecting to different countries to reach a particular destination tiring and time consuming, hence the need for more direct flights to the destination.

“We want to be able to provide a service that will satisfy our clients and create opportunities for tourism travel in the country. If we have more airlines flying directly into Zambia, this will develop the country’s industry,” she said.

Kenya Airways has unveiled a new Nairobi to Cape Town route via Livingstone. The airline has fifth freedom rights on the route, meaning passengers can embark and disembark at each stop. ZAC says the new route will increase arrivals into Zambia through the resort town.

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