Despite the turbulent period brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the significant increase in fuel prices, Zambia’s aviation industry saw record-breaking tourist arrivals last year.
In 2023, Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL) served 2 056 312 general passengers, which is the highest number of passengers recorded by the corporation since its inception in 1989.
According to the airports company, this represents an increase of 24% when compared with 1 653 077 passengers recorded in 2022 and a recovery to pre-COVID levels of 111% when compared with 1 850 715 passengers recorded in 2019.
The highest recovery rate was at Ndola’s Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport at 123% recovery, and the lowest was at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone at 60% recovery compared with 2019.
ZACL statistics further show that international passengers recovered by 103%, with Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka recording the highest recovery of…
