Ethiopian Airlines said it has finalized preparations for the launch of Zambia’s National Carrier in a joint venture with Industrial Development Corporation Limited (IDC).
This is coming at a time the Federal Government said the national carrier, Nigeria Air, would begin operations in April 2022 amidst reservations from stakeholders.
Daily Trust reports that stakeholders have expressed concerns over what they called the secrecy surrounding the intending shareholders of the Nigerian national carrier.
But Ethiopian Airlines, which also helped in setting up Asky disclosed that it has 45 percent stake in the joint venture while Industrial Development Corporation Limited (IDC) retains 55 percent for the Zambia national carrier.
The shareholders have so far contributed USD30 million in capital towards the establishment of the airline, it was revealed.
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, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, said, “The strategic equity partnership in the launching of Zambia’s national carrier is part of our Vision 2025 multiple hub strategy in Africa.
“Ethiopian 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 socio-economic integration and tourism industry in Zambia and the region”
Through its multiple hubs strategies in Africa, Ethiopian 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.
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