Zambia Airways Receives 1st Boeing 737

Zambia Airways has plenty to celebrate in Q4 of 2023 and has now made its own mark in the nation’s aviation history. The airline has acquired the first-ever locally registered Boeing 737-800NG jetliner.

The airline hopes that this purchase will be the first of many as it increases its routes and fleet size, eventually vying for the top spot in the African continent.

The first locally owned jetliner

Zambia Airways first announced the acquisition of the Boeing 737-800NG in March 2023. The aircraft has a capacity of 189 passengers and will mark the entrance of the airline into the African regional market. The short-haul aircraft will primarily service the airline’s first regional route to Johannesburg O.R. Tambo, South Africa.

Photo: samatotoh/Shutterstock

The aircraft arrived at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) on September 26th. It was welcomed by dignitaries and other government officials, which included Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali, ZACL Board Representative Mrs. Irene Tembo, Zambia Airports Corporation Limited’s Acting Managing Director, Cosam Ngoma, and Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) acting Chief Executive Officer Leya Ngoma.

Airline growth and resurgence

The airline’s success has silenced skeptics and shown that it is serious about making a name for itself. Frank Tayali spoke about what the acquisition meant to the national carrier:

“This acquisition also signifies the airline’s dedication to providing a superior travel experience to its passengers and boosting Zambia’s presence in the aviation industry. This new aircraft will take us a step further in enhancing our local and international aviation footprint, opening up new routes, and connecting more cities”

Photo: Shutterstock/Scott McManus

Zambian Airlines has seen massive growth since its 2021 relaunch. In 2023, international and domestic travel increased by 106% and 133%, respectively, compared to August 2019. The numbers are from the report presented by Cosam Ngoma, the acting Managing Director of Zambia Airports Corporation Limited.

In addition to the new jetliner, the airline’s fleet features two DHC-8 Q400s. It allows Zambia Airways to service domestic flights to Livingstone, Ndola, and Solwezi and regional flights to Harare and Johannesburg.

Restructuring and relaunch

The Republic of Zambia has been attempting to relaunch the airline and bring it to a position where it resembles the carrier during its glory days in the 1970s.

The Zambian government partnered with Ethiopian Airlines, which purchased a 45% stake at $30 million, to launch the new airline on October 24, 2018 (Zambia’s Independence Day). The government planned for the airline to have a fleet of 12 aircraft and operate multiple regional routes by 2028.

Photo: Vladimir Zhupanenko | Shutterstock

However, a series of delays compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the airline only launching in 2021. The airline has operated using the DHC-8s wet-leased by Ethiopian Airlines in the past two years. It is unclear if the airline can achieve its intended target by 2028 or if the goals have changed. But the recent developments have been promising.

Source: Lusaka Times