Speaking at the media breakfast in Lusaka today, Zambia Airport Corporation Acting managing Director Gillian Mazimba said this represents an increase of 24% when compared to 1,653,077 passengers recorded in 2022 and a recovery to pre COVID-19 levels of 111% when compared to 1,850,715 passengers recorded in 2019.
She said the highest recovery rate was at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (SMKIA) at 123% recovery and the least was at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport (HMNIA) at 60% recovery.
Ms Mazimba said the International passengers recovered by 103% with Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) recording the highest recovery of 115%.
She noted that HMNIA which mainly serves the tourism industry continued with a slow pace to recovery at only 45%, Nevertheless, this was an improvement when compared to a recovery of 39% recorded in 2022.
Ms Mazimba says International passenger performance was driven by the complete removal of COVID-19 requirements by the Ministry of Health in March 2023 in addition to sporting events held in the country such as the Barcelona Legends vs Zambia Legends Exhibition Football Match in May 2023 as well as the hosting of various meetings and conferences which included the Summit for Democracy, the 16th COMESA Business Forum, the 22nd Summit of COMESA Heads of State and the CANSO Africa Conference.
She said the commencement of flights by Mozambique Airlines into Lusaka and Fly Safair into Livingstone from Johannesburg as well as the introduction of new routes by Zambia Airways (Lusaka-Harare & Lusaka-Johannesburg) and Proflight Zambia (Lusaka-Capetown) played a significant role in boosting passenger numbers.
She stated that domestic passengers recovered by 140% with all airports surpassing pre COVID-19 passenger levels.
She added that SMKIA recorded the highest recovery of 173% as the Lusaka-Ndola route was the busiest in the period under review.
She explained that the positive domestic performance can be attributed to the competitive pricing being offered by domestic airlines for flights to and from Lusaka as well as the resumption of the Ndola-Mansa route by Proflight Zambia.
She noted that the continued hosting of various meetings in Livingstone by Professional Bodies has continued to be a significant contributor to domestic passenger performance.
Ms Mazimba said In the year 2023, 18,054 tonnes of cargo and mail passed through ZACL airports, representing a growth of 8% when compared to 2022 when 16,570 tonnes were recorded.
She stated that the rate of recovery to 2019 levels when 22,046 tonnes were recorded was at 81%.
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