With a stake of 45 percent , Ethiopian Airlines becomes a partner to the Launch of Zambia Airways , 1st Bombardier Dash 8 Q-400 arrived !

Ethiopian Partners becomes party to the Launch of Zambia Airways !

Ethiopian Airlines takes a stake of 45 percent in the Re-launch of Zambia Airways , that had ceased it's operation in the year 1994, and could not take off since then due to multiple factors.

Efforts were being made from last three years , in which Ethiopian Airlines, in conjunction with the Zambian Government , reached an agreement to re-establish the airline on the Zambian Day of Independence, 24 October 2018. But , in August 2018, all parties involved deferred the launch date of the airline to 1 January 2019.

On 20 August 2018, Ethiopian Airlines had signed a definitive agreement with the Zambian Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), to acquire 45 percent shareholding in the revived air carrier for US$30 million. 

The plan was framed to start the flights with local and regional routes using Turboprop aircraft, and to expand the intercontinental routes later . The relaunched carrier plans to operate 12 planes by 2028.

However, in the early 2019 , the relaunch was delayed a second time as the airline's new board of directors had not met, pushing the project indefinitely .

On 8 August 2019 the government of Zambia delayed the relaunch of the airline again after Zambia's Centre for Trade Policy and Development (CTPD) intervened, stating that the airline should not be relaunched until Zambia was in a better economical state.

Now , on 29th November 21, the Ethiopian Airlines statement comes ,

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest aviation group in Africa, is pleased to announce that it has finalized preparations for the launch of Zambia’s National Carrier in a joint venture with Industrial Development Corporation Limited (IDC).

Ethiopian has 45 percent stake in the joint venture while Industrial Development Corporation Limited (IDC) retains 55 percent, the shareholders have contributed USD30 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 1st December 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.

In the meanwhile, Zambia Airways has taken delivery of its first aircraft ahead of the commencement of commercial operations on December 1.

The 70-seater Bombardier Dash 8 Q-400, the first of six planes the airline is expected to operate, touched down at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 13:30 Hours and was honoured with the traditional water gun salute.

Transport and Logistics Minister Frank Tayali received the aircraft after it was handed over to the Zambia Airways crew by Ethiopian Airlines , the co-owner of the airline with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC).

Mr. Tewolde GebreMariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines 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.

About Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopian) is the fastest growing Airline in Africa. In its seventy-five years of operation, Ethiopian has become one of the continent’s leading carriers, unrivalled in efficiency and operational success.

Ethiopian fleet includes ultra-modern and environmentally friendly aircraft such as Airbus A350, Boeing 787-8, Boeing 787-9, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR, Boeing 777-200 Freighter, Bombardier Q-400 double cabin with an average fleet age of five years. In fact, Ethiopian is the first airline in Africa to own and operate these aircraft.