Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Transport and Communication Minister Brian Mushimba
Transport and Communications Minister Brain Mushimba has observed that the Zambian aviation sector has been turbulent after the collapse of Zambian Airways in 1994.
The Transport and Communications Minister says despite this turbulence, it has still shown unprecedented growth over the last two decades.
Engineer Mushimba says over 1.6 million passengers entered Zambia through its airports in 2016, indicating an overall growth of over 2.3 percent with international traffic growing at 4.4 percent compared to 2015.
The Transport and Communications Minister was speaking during the official launch of Mahogany Air.
He has also urged Mahogany Airline to position themselves to go into partnership arrangement with new Zambia Airways and not perceive the new airline as a competitor.
Engineer Mushimba says the Government would like to see an arrangement where Mahogany Air complement Zambia Airways, by developing a route plan which will bring passengers from far flung parts of Zambia such as Mbala, Mongu ,Kasama and Solwezi to the Aviation Hub at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
Engineer Mushimba says the Government is still in the process of establishing a new Airline with the view to create a new national flag courier that would not only result in improving air Connectivity in Zambia, but result in various spillover effects on the larger Zambian economy.
Meanwhile Mahogany Airline Chief executive Director, Dr Jim Belemu says the Airline is back to offer competitive business to the Air line industry.