Air passenger traffic recovery in Zambia has gained momentum and is expected to recover to pre-COVID-19 levels by mid-2024. The sector was one of the worst hit by the effects of the pandemic, recording its worst performance in 20 years.
In the first half of 2022, Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) served 679,177 passengers compared to 289,392 over the same period in 2021, 335,245 in 2020 and 863,508 in 2019. The passenger statistics in the first half of 2022 represent a combined recovery of 79% to pre-COVID-19 levels, compared to recovery levels of 34% in 2021 and 39% in 2020.
The steady recovery in international performance continues to be driven by the relaxation of COVID-19 measures including the removal of the PCR test requirements earlier this year by the Ministry of Health for fully vaccinated travellers entering Zambia.
“Passenger performance has continued to build on the momentum within the sector as most airlines that operated in 2019 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic have returned to the skies. There is no doubt that travellers and airlines are eager to resume normalcy”, said Mrs. Maggie B. Kaunda, Acting Managing Director of Zambia Airports Corporation Limited. “We expect international and domestic passenger traffic to continue growing given the upsurge in confidence in air travel provided by increased vaccination rates and safety measures. This urge to travel will definitely boost the propensity for air travel and help the industry recover”.
The statistics for domestic passenger movement show a recovery of 100% in the first half of 2022 and is expected to surpass the 2019 pre-COVID-19 levels by year end. The launch of Zambia Airways by Government in December 2021 has had a significant impact on domestic passenger numbers and ZACL is glad that the launch of the national carrier means more accessibility due to tickets being more affordable. Further, the resumption of the Ndola-Mansa flights by Proflight Zambia has positively impacted passenger numbers.
The statistics for cargo movement, mainly carried on passenger planes was 7,526 tonnes in the first half of 2022 compared to 10,347 tonnes over the same period in 2021, 8,803 tonnes in 2020 and 10,212 tonnes in 2019.
ZACL’s four (4) international airports and ten (10) domestic airports now serve six (6) scheduled domestic destinations and twelve (12) international destinations serviced by three (3) domestic airlines and twelve (12) international airlines. This is a key milestone towards transforming Kenneth Kaunda International Airport into an aviation hub in the SADC region.
Inbound tourism and business remain a key driver of passenger numbers in the country which is why maintaining service level agreements with airlines is key to recovery and customer satisfaction. The corporation is confident that the new infrastructure in Lusaka and Ndola will help in the provision of world class airport and air navigation services aimed at enhancing the passenger experience.