The Zambia Airports Corporation Limited – ZACL has disclosed that airports across Zambia saw more tourists arriving from various parts of the world especially from within Africa and Europe in 2022 when compared to 2021. The rebound in arrivals however have not yet surpassed the pre-Covid levels.
ZACL is however cognizant of major downside risks which include a new COVID-19 variants, high international crude oil prices, higher global inflation and supply chain disruptions from the Russia-Ukraine war.
Acting Managing Director of Zambia Airports Corporation Limited, Maggie B. Kaunda said ZACL served over double the numbers, they served about 1.7 million passengers in 2022 compared to about 750,000 passengers in 2021. ZACL served about 550,000 passengers in 2020 and about 1.9 million passengers in 2019.
Kaunda said this was driven by the relaxation of COVID-19 measures following continued reduced positivity rates globally such as the removal of the PCR test requirement for fully vaccinated travellers to Zambia by the Ministry of Health. She added that the passenger statistics in 2022 represented an overall recovery of 89% to preCOVID-19 levels, compared to recovery levels of 41% in 2021 and 29% in 2020.
Kaunda explained that overall international passengers recovered by 83% and domestic passengers by 111% with Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) and Solwezi Airport recording the highest recovery rates at 96% and 121%, respectively. Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport (HMNIA) which serves the tourism industry recorded the least recovery at 50% of 2019 levels.
She said the hosting of various meetings and conferences in Zambia such as the 4th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union (MYCM), the 38th Annual Conference of the Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA) and the 2022 Africa Innovations Ministerial Summit also contributed greatly to this recovery.
Kaunda said recovery in domestic passengers was driven by competitive pricing of domestic travel provided by Zambia Airways and Proflight Zambia into Livingstone, Solwezi and Ndola.
“Going into 2023, international passenger traffic is expected to continue growing given the upsurge in confidence in air travel provided by increased vaccination rates, safety measures and Governments continued support.”
She said the attainment of 70% vaccination rate of eligible population in Zambia in 2022 coupled with the waiver of visa requirements for selected countries which include China and the United Kingdom is expected to result in an increase in passenger numbers at our airports.
Uncertainties of China’s Zero COVID-19 policies which had constrained both domestic and international market and the recent easing of travel restrictions in China also poses a new risk to recovery due to the potential for importation of infections. She said ZACL will continue to engage key stakeholders in the industry to ensure that they collaborate and make Zambia an attractive and affordable destination for meetings and conferences
