Zambia Moves to Cut Layover Times



Freud Musanu
President
Zambia Diaspora Chamber of Commerce (ZDCC)
Gold, Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA)

...Musansa says the initiative will Boost Air Travel Efficiency

By Francis Maingaila (Zambia) and Francis John, Editor & Publisher, TipsNews Kansas City

Lusaka, Zambia – The Zambian government, in partnership with the Zambia Diaspora Chamber of Commerce, has launched an initiative to reduce layover times for flights into Lusaka to a maximum of five hours. This strategic move aims to enhance the country's connectivity, attract more international travelers, and solidify its position as a regional transit hub.

Zambia Diaspora Chamber of Commerce President Feud Musanu emphasized the significance of this initiative, highlighting its potential to transform the nation’s air travel sector.

“Minimizing layover times is critical for positioning Zambia as a preferred destination,” Musanu stated. “This initiative improves passenger convenience and reinforces our commitment to modernizing air travel infrastructure.”

Engaging Airlines for Improved Connectivity

To achieve this goal, the government and aviation stakeholders are set to engage airlines currently operating flights to Zambia. These discussions will focus on increasing direct flights, optimizing flight schedules, and enhancing operational efficiency.

“As of March 2025, several major airlines connect Zambia to key international destinations,” Musanu noted. “We will collaborate with these carriers to refine scheduling, increase flight frequencies, and ensure Zambia remains an attractive and competitive travel hub.”

The airlines expected to participate in these discussions include:

Proflight Zambia – Offers direct connections from Lusaka to Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban.

Ethiopian Airlines – Links Lusaka with Addis Ababa.

Kenya Airways – Operates flights between Nairobi and Lusaka.

South African Airways – Connects Johannesburg to Lusaka.

Emirates – Services the Dubai-Lusaka route.

Qatar Airways – Provides flights between Doha and Lusaka.

Turkish Airlines – Offers service from Istanbul to Lusaka.

Musanu explained that these engagements would prioritize optimizing airline operations to ensure more seamless and efficient travel for both tourists and business passengers.

Economic and Tourism Impact

Industry experts anticipate that reducing layover times will yield significant economic benefits. More efficient air travel is expected to boost tourist arrivals, facilitate trade, and enhance investor confidence in Zambia’s business environment.

With world-renowned attractions such as Victoria Falls and South Luangwa National Park, the tourism sector is poised to benefit from improved accessibility. Additionally, streamlined connections to Lusaka—an emerging commercial hub—will make business travel more convenient and efficient.

“The ease of travel is a key factor in attracting investors and businesses,” Musanu noted. “By eliminating unnecessary transit delays, Zambia becomes a more viable destination for tourism and commerce.”

Next Steps

While a specific timeline for implementation has yet to be announced, the government has reaffirmed its commitment to working with international airlines and aviation authorities to streamline operations. Stakeholders remain optimistic that these measures will modernize Zambia’s air travel landscape, positioning the country as a leading gateway in the Southern African region.

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