Zambia Airways (ZN) is about to spread its wings into South Africa.
The Lusaka-based airline, with its hub at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, currently flies from Lusaka to the Zambian domestic destinations of Livingstone, Solwezi, and Ndola.
Now, from June 1, the carrier will debut five flights per week to Johannesburg, using a Boeing 737-700 in a two-class configuration, business and economy class. Flights will become daily return flights on July
The airline has appointed AirlinePros International as its GSA in South Africa with immediate effect. The representation company will be responsible for the airline’s promotions, sales, publicity, and marketing.
The carrier’s regional expansion is expected to act as a driver ensuring the growth of the region and accelerating national economic growth, and it has set itself ambitious growth targets.
Schedule
From June 1, flights will be five times weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Saturday. From July 1, they will be daily.
On Monday, Tuesday Thursday and Saturday, ZN0305 departs LUN at 07h00 and arrives JNB at 09h00. The returning flight, ZN0304, departs JNB at 09h45 and arrives LUN at 11h45.
On Friday, ZN0305 departs LUN at 13h30 and arrives JNB at 15h30. The Friday returning flight, ZN0304, departs JNB at 16h15 and arrives LUN at 18h15.
When daily flights commence on July 1, the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday flights will follow the morning departure times and the Friday and Sunday flights will follow the afternoon departure times.
“The potential of Zambia to be an aviation hub in the region is huge,” said AA Jiru, CEO of Zambia Airways. “Our airline has an innovative staff and management who have done a great job of building the brand and contributing to the growth of the local aviation industry and related sectors. Today we are prepared to look beyond Zambia. AirlinePros has been working in South Africa for many years with unparalleled expertise and experience in the market. I am sure this will help us achieve our target of over 1.9 million passengers by 2028.”
Said Maryvonne Palanduz, Regional MD AirlinePros Southern Africa said: “The country is among the largest producers of copper in the world, and with its ease of doing business and a stable political climate, there is substantial business traffic. Among its tourist wonders are its amazing natural wealth including the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. This is in addition to the 20 national parks and 34 game management areas.”
Zambia Airways intends to play a pivotal role in improving accessibility for tourists and in the transformation of Zambia into a business, tourism, and transit hub.
The new airline was established in 2014 through a JV partnership between Ethiopian Airlines Group and the Government of the Republic of Zambia.