Plans on to upgrade all provincial airports to enhance aviation safety —Hichilema

All provincial airports are set to be furnished with improved infrastructure in an effort to enhance aviation safety and security.

This announcement was made by President Hakainde Hichilema during his official opening of the third session of the 13th national assembly on Friday.

Hichilema said the airports had been earmarked to have improved runways, airfield ground lighting systems, starting with Kasama airport this year.

According to the Head of State, improving the Kasama airport would be followed by Solwezi and Mansa subsequently other airports.

“The construction and upgrading of aviation infrastructure in our provincial and strategic airports have been prioritised. As a start, we have constructed a three-kilometre runway and rehabilitated the terminal building at Kasama airport.

“The Kasama airport can now accommodate larger aircraft and is poised to enhance tourism, mining, agriculture and increase trade and investment in the northern circuit to spur socio-economic development,” Hichilema said.

According to Hichilema, the aviation sub-sector had continued to rebound, post Covid-19 pandemic.

He stated that the number of airlines flying into the country and the frequency of flights by local and foreign airlines had increased.

“Recently, we witnessed the introduction of lam-Mozambican airlines into Lusaka as well as the re-introduction of Turkish airlines.

“Similarly, our local airline operators have now extended their flights into the region making our country more connected,” Hichilema said.

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