South African Express has launched a direct flight between Lusaka and Durban effective July 12, 2012, in a bid to boost trade and tourism between Zambia and South Africa.
And the South African government has invited the private sector from the two countries to engage it in talks on the development of infrastructure such as transit hotels at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
Company chief executive officer Inati Ntshanga says the objective of the new route is to grow tourism and trade opportunities for the two nations.
“We are realising our commitment and vision for both nations, connecting SA and Zambia must be a way of finding common aspirations to integrate the region,” he said.
He said the Durban base forms part of the airline’s strategy to connect all Southern African Development Community countries through the three South hubs, Durban, Johannesburg and Capetown.
The new route will start with three flights a week including Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday while a Friday flight will be introduced from August 3, 2012.
Mr Ntshanga was speaking during the inaugural direct flight from Durban to Lusaka on Thursday in Lusaka.
The 50 seater CRJ jet touched down at 13:25 at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka .
He further advised governments to completely liberalise trade in goods by reforming and streamlining customs procedures and open up trade in service.
Speaking at the same event, Minister of Transport Works and Supply Yanfwa Mukanga commended the airline for choosing Zambia as a destination of choice.
Mr Mukanga said Government is in the process of making the country a regional hub for international airlines.
“We want to be land linked and trade effectively with our neighbours. This is a stepping stone, we expect trade to increase and create enough competition,” he said.

Minister of Transport and Communication Yamfwa Mukanga welcoming Minister of Development and tourism provincial of economic development and tourism Michael Mabuyankulu.

Meanwhile South Africa Deputy Minister for Public Enterprise Bulelani Magwanishe urged the two countries to prioritise trade as it is an intervention to build national economies.
Mr Magwanishe said there is need for countries to position themselves in building a strong economy since African countries are slowly moving away from European dependence.
Commenting on the private sector engagement, South Africa High Commissioner to Zambia Moses Chikane said his South Africa is ready to facilitate private sector involvement in the development of the international airport.
Mr Chikane said SA is seriously looking at the new development of the airport as it is becoming an important catchment area.
“We also want to be part of those going to develop it. In the hospitality industry for instance, there is need for a transit hotel etc….,” he said.
SA Express is a domestic and regional passenger and cargo carrier established in 1994 and is owned by South African government together with South African Airways.
It has over 1,000 employees with 18 years proven track record running as a separate entity but with a commercial code agreement with SA airways.

 

 

Source: http://www.daily-mail.co.zm