Zambia Moves to Position Itself as Key African Aviation Hub
Zambia is accelerating efforts to position itself as a competitive aviation hub in Africa, as revealed during the recent Land-Linked Zambia Summit in Lusaka. The summit convened key stakeholders from the aviation industry—including representatives from the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority (ZCAA), Ministry of Transport and Logistics, Proflight Zambia, and other players—to discuss Zambia’s potential in reshaping regional air connectivity.
The panel highlighted Zambia’s strategic geographic location and ongoing reforms as pivotal assets in its bid to rival major African aviation hubs such as South Africa’s OR Tambo, Ethiopia’s Bole International, and Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta.
Proflight Zambia’s Director of Ground Operations, Cargo, and Catering, Mr. Vincent Banda, emphasized the airline’s continued commitment to promoting Zambia as a central hub, citing its growing domestic and regional network. “We are developing our routes strategically to support Zambia’s hub ambitions,” Banda said.
However, stakeholders were candid about persistent challenges. High operating costs, excessive airport taxes, and restrictive regulatory frameworks were identified as major hurdles. Mr. Banda stressed, “The ticket taxes and handling costs are very high in our region. We need a review to make our local airlines competitive.”
The summit also drew attention to Zambia’s overdependence on aeronautical revenues—87% of airport income—compared to the global benchmark where at least 40% is generated from non-aeronautical sources. This imbalance, experts say, forces airlines to increase fares, reducing competitiveness.
Encouragingly, safety and security reforms have shown progress. The ZCAA recently scored 72.94% in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Safety Audit, exceeding the regional average. As preparations continue for a new security audit, this rating is seen as a major step toward attracting international passengers and investors.
Government support remains crucial. The Ministry of Transport and Logistics, in collaboration with industry stakeholders, is exploring reforms such as fuel tax reductions and regulatory streamlining. Discussions are also underway with the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to address high aviation fuel prices.
The summit also emphasized the role of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) in liberalising air transport, offering new opportunities for Zambia to integrate regionally and globally.
As dialogue continues, stakeholders called for swift policy actions to reduce costs, encourage investment, and improve regulatory efficiency. Zambia’s bold vision for an aviation hub is gaining momentum—built on collaboration, reform, and a shared commitment to transforming air travel across the continent.
