Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) has recorded a gain in momentum of Air Passenger traffic recovery in Zambia to pre-COVID 19times, with levels now indicating 99.7 percent in the first quarter of 2023.
The passenger performance in Q1 of 2023 was mostly driven by the relaxation of COVID19 measures internationally and locally such as the complete removal of proof of vaccination for vaccinated individuals and PCR test requirement for unvaccinated individuals.
ZACL Communications and Brand Manager Mweembe Sikaulu indicates that ZACL served 403,395 passengers in Q1 of 2023 compared to 265,185 passengers in 2022, 126,188 passengers in 2021, 325,561 passengers in 2020 and 404,581 passengers in 2019.
Sikaulu said the passenger statistics in Q1 of 2023 represented an overall recovery of 99.7% to pre-COVID-19 levels, compared to recovery levels of 66% in 2022 and 31% in 2021.
“The overall international passengers recovered by 96% while domestic passengers recovered by 117% with Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) and Solwezi Airport recording the highest recovery rates at 111% and 105%, respectively.” She said.
Sikaulu said Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport (HMNIA) which serves the tourism industry still records the least recovery at 47% of 2019 levels.
Air passenger forecasts remain optimistic, with passenger numbers expected to reach pre-pandemic levels on most routes by December 2023.
Further, the removal of COVID-19 restrictions for Chinese domestic and international travel augurs well with the continued strong industry recovery resulting in a surge in the number of people traveling to China, possibly for the first time since the onset of the pandemic.
Zambia targets over 1.5 million international tourists in the 2023 marketing campaign launched by the Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) to accelerate recovery.
Sikauli said the growth will be driven by increased budgetary support from Government for marketing activities, VISA waiver for specific source markets and increased consumer confidence in tourism products.
She added that furthermore ZTA and Emirates have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly promote tourism and boost visitor arrivals to Zambia by leveraging Emirates’ extensive global network of 140 destinations.
“ZACL will continue working in partnership with players from various sectors to help make Zambia a destination of choice for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), which have been key in boosting passenger numbers towards the pre-COVID19 levels.” Said Sikaulu.
“A total of 4,205 tonnes of cargo and mail went through ZACL airports in Q1 representing a growth of 16% when compared to the same period in 2022 when 3,632 tonnes were recorded. The rate of recovery when compared to 2019 levels when 5,101 tonnes were recorded, is at 82%.” She added.
