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Local airline Proflight Zambia has been officially recognised for its contribution to the national economy with induction into the government’s Proudly Zambian Campaign.
The initiative, launched by the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry (MCTI), aims to stimulate and promote the production, visibility and consumption of high-quality home-grown products, solutions and services.
The Zambian owned and operated airline operates locally owned and registered aircraft, flown by predominantly Zambian pilots, and has an active policy of sourcing goods and services from local businesses across the country.
Since commencing scheduled operations in 2005, Proflight has steadily expanded its domestic network, now offering scheduled services to eight domestic destinations, including seasonal safari routes to Chunga airstrip in Kafue National Park and Jeki/Royal airstrips in Lower Zambezi; with 40 flights per week during peak seasons. The airline has also been relentless in its regional expansion, connecting travellers regionally to three destinations in South Africa, ensuring convenient and seamless journeys for both international and domestic tourists.
“We are thrilled to be a part of the Proudly Zambian Campaign, particularly because over the years we have maintained our roots as a Zambian airline and have also been witness to the strong push for more local content across the various sectors of our economy. The value created by businesses and communities, and even countries, working together is vital, as we can clearly see it in our daily operations,” said Proflight Zambia Director Flight Operations Captain Josias Walubita.
Proflight’s commitment to excellence and its dedication to providing reliable, safe, efficient, and convenient air travel over three decades has made it the airline of choice for in-bound travellers, connecting them to the rest of Zambia via Lusaka and Ndola, as well as outbound passengers connecting to international destinations via Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
In 2023, Proflight surpassed its target of 230,000 passengers to date, serving a total of 279,212 passengers and marking a significant milestone for the airline.
One of the key goals of the Proudly Zambian campaign, is to help foster local employment opportunities through the scaling up of business operations. As a result of the expansion experienced by the airline, Proflight’s workforce has grown from 140 to over 250 employees with a rich portfolio of seasoned industry experts as well as new and exceptional talent.
“We are proud to have Proflight Zambia join the Proudly Zambian Campaign and fly the Zambian flag high in its literal sense. In its years of operation, Proflight has continued to instil pride in us by proving that quality service can be done by Zambians. As a Campaign we are ready to support local businesses that are committing to quality and changing the narrative of what is Zambian. Therefore, as we work to increase local content in all sectors, we urge Zambians to think local first, buy Zambian and fly Zambian,” said Proudly Zambian Campaign Coordinator Sopani Muzumara.
“Proflight Zambia would like to reaffirm its dedication to supporting businesses and the communities where it operates in by contributing to the growth and development of Zambia’s tourism sector and wider economy through its flight operations,” said Capt. Walubita.
One of the most recent developments in this light has been the resumption of scheduled flights to Kasama, Northern Province, and has further introduced the serving of the locally grown and produced Kasama Coffee on the route.
Moreover, Proflight is a licenced Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) since 2016 and conducts all maintenance of its fleet at its facility at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. The AMO employs 30 licensed engineers and 50 support staff.
Ensuring total flight reliability is Proflight’s core objective, achieved through meticulous planning, research, and significant investments in training local personnel and acquiring necessary tools. Capt. Walubita emphasised the importance of this function in managing aircraft maintenance needs, highlighting the technological and mechanical capabilities within Zambia.
