Zambia Airports Corporation Limited has remained steady during the third quarter of 2016. The Airports saw passenger numbers increase by 1.3 per cent when compared with the same period last year.
Records indicate that a total of 456,750 passengers passed through the four main international airports namely Kenneth Kaunda, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula and Mfuwe.
There were a total number of 397,950 passengers recorded in the second quarter of 2016 meaning that the Corporation has seen a positive increase of 58,800 passengers during these 2 periods.
Records for the third quarter of 2016 show that international passenger numbers increased by 5 per cent from 356,477 in 2015 to 372,603 in 2016, while domestic passenger numbers declined by 11 per cent when compared to 2015 results during the same period.
Unfortunately, ZACL saw a decline in cargo movement when compared to the same period last year as numbers decreased by 5.4 per cent.
Overall, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport recorded the highest positive performance of all the international airports with a market share of 1.41 per cent, while Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, Kenneth Kaunda and Mfuwe International Airports recorded negative growths in passenger movement market share of 0.9%, 0.4% and 0.1% respectively.
Kenneth Kaunda International Airport as the largest gateway in the country carried 69 per cent of total general passenger movements in the third quarter of 2016 while Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe and Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airports performed second and third respectively carrying 15% and 14% of total passengers.
The smallest airport, Mfuwe International Airport carried 2% of the total traffic.
And Zambia Airports Corporation Communications and Brand Manager Mweembe Sikaulu says the ongoing construction of the upgrade of Kenneth Kaunda International Airport is progressing well with the installation of columns, slab and beams currently underway.
Ms. Sikaulu said the new Fire and Rescue Service Stations are almost complete with works on the exterior currently also underway while the new Water Reservoir and Pump House are also advancing well.
“Zambia Airports Corporation Limited is confident that the various developmental projects in Lusaka, Ndola, Livingstone and Mfuwe will greatly improve facilitation for both passengers and airlines as well as enrich the customer experience while cementing Zambia's place as the next regional hub,” She said.