THE Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) has disclosed that it served 403,395 passengers in the first quarter of 2023 compared to 265,185 passengers it recorded last year during the same period.
The passenger statistics in the first quarter of 2023 represent an overall recovery of 99.7% to pre-COVID-19 levels, compared to recovery levels of 66% in 2022 and 31% in 2021.
ZACL Communications and Brand Manager Mweembe Sikaulu the increase in the passenger performance in the first has been driven by the relaxation of COVID-19 measures internationally and locally.
“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.
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,” she said.
Ms Sikaulu said the increase is also attributed to 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.
Meanwhile, Zambia targets over 1.5 million international tourists in the 2023 marketing campaign launched by the Zambia Tourism Agency (ZTA) to accelerate recovery.
She 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.
“Additionally, 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,” Ms Sikaulu said.
She said 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, which have been key in boosting passenger numbers towards the pre-COVID-19 levels.
Ms Sikaulu further said a total of 4,205 tonnes of cargo and mail went through ZACL airports in the first quarter, representing a growth of 16% when compared to the same period in 2022 when 3,632 tonnes were recorded.
