Cabinet to decide on national airline – minister

Sun, 29 Jan 2017 10:28:25 +0000

By MUKOSELA KASALWE

GOVERNMENT is studying the possibility of having a national airline and the ministry has prepared the necessary documents pertaining to its feasibility which are before Cabinet, says Transport and Communication Minister Brian Mushimba.

Mr Mushimba said that the national airline undertaking was put on halt last year following the economic difficulties the country experienced due to external shocks such as low copper prices on the international market as well as unstable local currency and the general election.

He said the economic indicators were now positive and stated that the ministry had finalised documentation in terms of what could be done on the planned national airline, saying it was still on schedule.

The minister said that the direction to be taken on whether or not to have a national flag carrier could not be decided by one person and would instead be decided by Cabinet.

“We started the groundwork but we postponed the programme last year due to economic external shocks such as low copper prices, instability of the Kwacha and we were going into an election period, so we thought it was not good to be planning such an undertaking but now the economy is looking up.

‘‘So as a ministry we have finalised documentation in terms of what could be done and it remains for Cabinet to give the direction to be taken,” he said.

Mr Mushimba, who is Kankoyo Member of Parliament, said that the Government was determined to open up all modes of transportation and had continued to invest and expressed hope that with the construction of airport infrastructure the country would benefit in various sectors such as tourism, among others.