AIRPORT REPORT: ZAMBIA
Chinese, in particular, are investing in Zambia’s resources and minerals and setting up business in the country. “There has been an upsurge in business with the Middle East
and Far East,” he says. “It is worth noting that the government has prioritised mining, agriculture and tourism as the key economic growth areas. However, commerce without efficient and reliable transport systems is stifled at the moment, so there is a need to modernise the country’s gateways,” he says. The modernisation plans from LeighFisher (formerly called
Jacobs Consultancy Aviation Practice) under a USTDA grant, recommend that Lusaka gets a new international terminal, along with extended aircraft manoeuvring areas, upgraded service facilities and increased commercial space. Costs are expected to be in the region of $200 million, however
funds have yet to be secured for the project. The National Airports Corporation has consulted with Lusaka’s
airlines throughout the process. These currently include: Air Botswana, Air Namibia, Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airways, British Airways, South African Airways, South African Airlink, Angolan Airlines, Air Malawi, Air Zimbabwe, Zambezi Airlines and Proflight. However, with the Chinese market continuing to take such a keen
interest in Zambia’s resources, Chintimbwe is hopeful that Lusaka will be announcing new service from one of the Gulf carriers within the next year. While work at Lusaka still needs the final go-ahead, in the south
Livingstone’s transformation is already underway. This once-sleepy tourist town has undergone a dramatic
transformation in the past decade. According to Chintimbwe, Livingstone Airport welcomed 30,000 passengers in 2001. This had grown to 250,000 by 2008, driven almost wholly by tourism. The Victoria Falls form the border between Zambia and
Zimbabwe and whereas the town of Victoria Falls, on the Zimbabwe side, was once the more popular gateway to the natural attraction, now Livingstone in Zambia is favoured by the majority of tourists. The Zambian town’s tourism operators were quick to spot the
tourism opportunity and today Livingstone is a hub for adventure sports – including the world’s highest bungee jump – and wildlife safaris. South African tourists are the key drivers of traffic and South African Airways, Comair, 1time Airlines and Proflight connect Livingstone to Africa’s largest economy. “There has been a huge impact on the town of Livingstone and
the surrounding communities. There are new hotels opening and new employment being generated,” says Chintimbwe, speaking about the impact of tourism on the local community. Under its new master plan, Livingstone will get a brand new
international terminal, including expanded passenger areas and commercial space. Zanaco Bank Plc, a local Zambian bank, is the key financer of the project and the contractor is Yangts Jiang Enterprises Limited, with Civilstrusts Consulting Engineers as the managing consultants. Work is already well under way, with the groundbreaking
ceremony having taken place in August. The project is expected to be completed by April 2012 and Chintimbwe says that the new terminal will meet Livingstone’s traffic requirements until 2029. “At Livingstone we didn’t want to demolish what we already had,
so the existing terminal building will become a domestic facility once the new terminal is open,” he says.
The National Airports Corporation is also already hard at work
marketing the new facility to international airlines. In particular, it will be marketed to the long-haul charter market, as the airport can handle aircraft up to the B767, says Chintimbwe.
Other gateways Another major tourist gateway is Mfuwe, close to the South Luangwa National Park, Zambia’s most famous game park. This airport primarily serves the tourist market and Chintimbwe
points out that it is a market that is still in the development phase but some upgrades and modernisations are required. Plus, Ndola, which provides access to Zambia’s vitally important
copper belt region, also requires an overhaul. It was originally a British airbase and was not designed to meet the needs of 21st century business traffic. As the key gateway to Zambia’s most important resource, this will be prioritised for upgrades, Chintimbwe says, with more details available once the master plan has been approved. Zambia is clearly reaping the benefits of a stable political
situation and steady economic policies. Now, hopes are that continued foreign investment from China and the prospect of attracting air service from a Gulf carrier could ensure Zambia’s economic development for years to come.
AW AIRPORT WORLD/AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2010 21
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