Zambia to get a new airline, or at least a relaunch of its former national carrier, thanks to an initial investment of $30 million from Ethiopian Airlines its been reported today.
The airline has signed a shareholding agreement with Zambia’s main development agency to relaunch the southern African country’s flag carrier, after more than 20 years of dormancy. The plan would see the new Zambia Airways, operating 12 aircraft by 2028, Ethiopian Airlines will own 45 percent of the revamped Zambian airline, and Zambia 55 percent.
Ethiopian Airlines issued a joint statement with Zambia’s state-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), which said, "The initial investment as we start up the national carrier will be $30 million. Obviously, as we operate the airline, we will facilitate the financing necessary to support its growth,”
According to the plans, the new Zambia Airways will launch local and regional routes later this year while intercontinental routes, including those to Europe, the Middle East and Asia, should be introduced within the first three years.
