The air travel industry is making a remarkable comeback as the recovery hits an unprecedented 111 percent to pre-COVID-19. The latest data shows that air travel is bouncing back with a year-on-year growth of 15%.
According to the Zambia Airports Corporation Limited, – ZACL half-year performance report emailed to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, by the Corporation’s Communications and Brand Manager, Mweembe Sikaulu, the aviation industry has continued on its positive trajectory to passenger traffic recovery with a target of full recovery by 2024.
Sikaulu disclosed that during the third quarter of 2023, ZACL handled about 581,000 passenger movements compared to 507,000 and 524,853 over the same period in 2022 and 2019, respectively, representing a year-on-year growth of 15% and a recovery of 111% to pre-COVID-19 levels.
She explained that International passengers accounted for 71% of total passengers in the quarter whereas domestic passengers accounted for 29%.
Sikaulu added that in terms of aircraft movements, the Corporation recorded a total of 18,793 landings and take-offs in quarter three and this represented 99.5% of the pre-COVID-19 movements and a 21% growth when compared to prior year movements. “Domestic flights accounted for 66% of the aircraft movements whereas international flights accounted for 34%.”
“Year-to-date overall passenger traffic recovery was 94% at the end of quarter three. Domestic passengers have recovered by 134%, surpassing the 2019 pre-COVID-19 levels while international passengers have recovered by 98.9%. The top 5 routes in the quarter were Lusaka-Johannesburg, Lusaka-Ndola, Lusaka-Dubai, Lusaka-Addis Ababa and Lusaka-Harare. The Corporation recorded its peak passenger traffic in August as this coincides with the summer season in Europe.” She said.
Sikaulu said the increased domestic passenger performance is a result of events such as the 45th Association of African Central Banks Annual Meeting and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO) Africa Regional Conference held in Livingstone as well as the 95th Agricultural and Commercial Show that took place in Lusaka. “It is important to note that domestic recovery has been necessitated by the competitive pricing provided by Proflight Zambia and Zambia Airways on local routes.”
Meanwhile, Sikaulu said that cargo, mainly carried on passenger planes decreased by about 2 percent to 4,526 tons in quarter three of 2023 when compared to 2022.
She noted that Cargo is still suffering the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic coupled with weak demand for the export market as well as the impact of the exchange rate on the import market.
Sikaulu however said the Corporation remains committed to supporting airlines in providing a seamless experience for passengers to maintain customer satisfaction.
She said the Corporation will continue to develop strategic partnerships and alliances with industry players to make Zambia an attractive destination for inbound tourism.
