The largest aviation group in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines has announced its final preparations for the launch of Zambia’s National Carrier in a joint venture with Industrial Development Corporation Limited (IDC).
In a deal where the shareholders have contributed USD30 million in capital towards the establishment of the airline,Ethiopian Airlines has 45 percent stake in the joint venture while IDC will retain 55 percent.
The new Zambia Airways (ZN) is to join African sky with its initial domestic flight from Lusaka to Ndola on 1st December 2021 and it will operate at a frequency of six and five times a week to Ndola and Livingstone, respectively.
Other domestic routes to Mfuwe and Solwezi will follow before introducing regional destinations, to Johannesburg and Harare, to its network within the first quarter of 2022.
Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde GebreMariam said that the strategic equity partnership in the launching of Zambia’s national carrier is part of the Vision 2025 multiple hub strategy in Africa.
“Ethiopian Airlines is committed to its growth plan in collaboration with African carriers and the new Zambia Airways will serve as a strong hub in Central and Southern Africa availing domestic, regional and eventually international air connectivity for passengers and cargo to the major destinations in the Middle East, Europe and Asia, which will enhance the socioeconomic integration and tourism industry in Zambia and the region,” he stated.
Through its multiple hubs strategy in Africa, Ethiopian Airlines currently operates hubs in Lomé (Togo) with ASKY Airlines, Malawian in Lilongwe (Malawi), Tchadia in N’Djamena (Chad) and Ethiopian Mozambique in Maputo (Mozambique) while having the already acquired stakes in Guinea’s and Democratic Republic of Congo’s national carriers.