The Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) says last year, the aviation industry recorded a rise in passenger traffic.

Speaking during a media briefing today, ZACL Acting Managing Director Gillian Mazimba said in 2023 the corporation served 2,056,312 general passengers which is the highest number that the corporation has ever received since inception in 1989.

ZANIS reports that Ms Mazimba said this represents an increase of 24 percent compared to 1,653,077 passengers recorded in 2022 and also during the recovery to pre COVID 19 when the cooperation recorded 1,850,715 passengers in 2019.

She explained that the international passengers recovered by 103 percent with Kenneth Kaunda International Airports (KKIA) recording the highest with 115 percent.

Ms Mazimba added that Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport which mainly serves the tourism industry continued with a slow pace adding that there was nevertheless an improvement.

She further explained that the passenger performance was driven by the removal of the Covid-19 requirements by the Ministry of Health in March 2023.

Ms Mazimba also noted the hosting of international summits and some sporting events can also be attributed to the increase.

“ We can attribute this increase to a number of international summits that the country has been hosting also some sporting events such as the Barcelona Legends Vs Zambia Legends Exhibition Football Match in May 2023 as well as the hosting of various meetings and conferences” Ms Mazimba noted.

Ms Mazimba added that the corporation anticipates continued growth in the year 2024 in terms of general passenger traffic largely driven by trade and tourism at all airports.

 She noted the commissioning of Kasama Airport to have a positive impact on domestic performance as Proflight Zambia is scheduled to resume flights to the destinations in the first quarter of the year.