Thu, 24 Aug 2017 07:43:48 +0000
By Aaron Chiyanzo
THE Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) recorded 11.3 percent drop in cargo movements in the second quarter of this year mainly due to an increase in agricultural produce trucked through South Africa for onward export into Europe, ZACL communications and brand manager Mweembe Sikaulu has said.
And Ms Sikaulu said that the decrease was also as a result of freight charges in Zambia have continued to be relatively higher when compared with other countries in the region.
“When compared to the same period last year, cargo movement decreased by (11.3) % in the second quarter of 2017.
“The decrease is mainly due to an increase in agricultural produce trucked through South Africa for onward export into Europe as freight charges in Zambia continue to be relatively higher when compared with other countries in the region,” she said.
Ms Sikaulu however said in a statement that the corporation had recorded a 7.4 percent growth in passenger movements during the second quarter of 2017.
She said that 427,311 general passengers passed through the four international airports, Kenneth Kaunda, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula and Mfuwe in the second quarter.
Ms Sikaulu disclosed that 79,658 domestic passengers passed through the designated airports signifying a 10.1 percent growth from 72,350 passengers in the second quarter of 2016.
She said that international passenger movements grew by 6.8 percent from 325,621 passengers in the second quarter of 2016 to 347,653 passengers in second quarter of 2017.
Ms Sikaulu attributed the grow in passenger movements to the stable and strengthened currency which saw a rebound in small merchants and traders involved in overseas trading particularly to Dubai and China.
She also explained that the tourist travel market begun to settle after effects of the ebola outbreak in 2014/2015 negatively affected tourism in the country.
Ms Sikaulu pointed out that there has been an increase in Zambia being used as a destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions.
“Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport performed particularly well due to the large water bodies experienced in the second quarter at the Victoria Falls and the increased airline capacity resulting in increased tourist travel to Livingstone,” she said.
Ms Sikaulu also attributed the growth to the continued good performance on the Nairobi – Livingstone – Cape Town route and increased frequencies by Rwandair, and start of flights to Harare.
