Ethiopia Airlines has announced that it has finalised preparations for the launch of Zambia's National Carrier in a joint venture with Industrial Development Corporation Limited (IDC).
The airline in a statement said it has 45 per cent stake in
the joint venture while Industrial Development Corporation Limited (IDC)
retains 55 percent, the shareholders have contributed $30 million in capital
towards the establishment of the airline.
The new Zambia Airways (ZN) is to join African sky with its
initial domestic flight from Lusaka to Ndola on December 1, 2021 and it will
operate at a frequency of six and five times a week to Ndola and Livingstone,
respectively.
Other domestic routes to Mfuwe and Solwezi will follow
before introducing regional destinations, to Johannesburg and Harare, to its
network within the first quarter of 2022.
Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam
remarked: "The strategic equity partnership in the launching of Zambia's
national carrier is part of our Vision 2025 multiple hub strategy in Africa.
"Ethiopian is committed to its growth plan in
collaboration with African carriers and the new Zambia Airways will serve as a
strong hub in Central and Southern Africa availing domestic, regional and
eventually international air connectivity for passengers and cargo to the major
destinations in the Middle East, Europe and Asia, which will enhance the
socioeconomic integration and tourism industry in Zambia and the region"
Through its multiple hubs strategy in Africa, Ethiopian
currently operates hubs in Lomé (Togo) with ASKY Airlines, Malawian in Lilongwe
(Malawi), Tchadia in N'Djamena(Chad) and Ethiopian Mozambique in Maputo
(Mozambique) while having the already acquired stakes in Guinea's and
Democratic Republic of Congo's national carriers.