FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURES
DECEMBER 01, 2023
PROFLIGHT SECURES BEST TOURISM TRANSPORTATION AWARD
The leading airline, honoured for its excellence
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Proflight Zambia has clinched the coveted title of Best Tourism Transportation at the prestigious Tourism Excellence Awards, underscoring its contribution to the growth of the nation’s transport sector, tourism and economy.
The Tourism Excellence Awards, themed “Sustainable Tourism: Preserve and Prosper”, highlighted Proflight’s commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism practices, solidifying its position as a responsible industry leader.
Minister of Tourism Hon. Rodney M. Sikumba said: “The Tourism and Excellence Awards aim to uphold the extraordinary contributions of individuals and organisations that have pushed the boundaries of excellence. The awards, with the theme ‘Sustainable Tourism: Preserve and Prosper,’ resonate with each one of us and the role we play in creating the magic of travel.”
The minister congratulated all the award recipients and industry stakeholders, emphasising their pivotal role in achieving Zambia’s ambitious target of 1.5 million international tourist arrivals for the year. This ambition is evident in the remarkable 23% increase in international arrivals in the third quarter of 2023.
Proflight has been instrumental in fostering the expansion of the aviation and tourism sectors through its strategic tourism-focused routes, which encompass Livingstone, Mfuwe, and Jeki and Royal in the Lower Zambezi. These specific routes play a key role in enhancing Zambia’s visibility and influence on the global tourism stage.
Captain Josias Walubita, Director of Flight Operations at Proflight Zambia, emphasised the airline’s dedication to providing world-class services, “We are privileged at Proflight to accept this award, which serves as a genuine acknowledgment of our dedication and impact on the growth of Zambia’s tourism. Our relentless efforts are focused on providing dependable, suitable, timely, and secure services that make substantial contributions to the economy.”
The airline’s resilience post-COVID-19 is evident in its surpassing of previous benchmarks, showcasing robust growth in passenger numbers, fleet expansion, route networks, and seat capacity.
In 2022, Proflight marked an impressive 89% recovery rate from 2019 on vital tourism routes, setting a positive trajectory for the industry. The momentum has continued in 2023, with a notable 10% increase in traffic to Livingstone and a 3% uptick to Mfuwe for the airline compared to 2019. The overall domestic network has experienced a commendable 36% upswing.
The airline, through strategic initiatives and partnerships in 2023, made a substantial rebound. These include reopening regional and local routes, introducing a new direct service to Cape Town, expanding the fleet with two 50-seat CRJs, introducing a cargo freighter, and adding new routes such as Lusaka/Mansa, Lusaka/Kalumbila, and the reintroduction of Lusaka/Durban.
The airlines commitment to safety is unwavering, evident in its outstanding safety record and strict compliance with aviation regulations. Innovative booking and ticketing processes, available both online and in physical offices, enhance travellers’ convenience, offering various payment options, that include credit/debit cards, cash transfer, PayPal, and mobile money.
When receiving the award at the Proflight head office, Capt. Walubita also thanked the Ministry of Tourism, Zambia Tourism Agency, Tourism Council of Zambia, and other stakeholders for putting on the prestigious event to celebrate the milestones in the tourism and hospitality industry.
The airline is proud to be part of this positive industry and to boost the country’s tourist arrivals, enhance the tourism product and increase awareness for Destination Zambia,” added Capt. Walubita.
Proflight Zambia now looks ahead to even greater growth, positioning itself as a pivotal player in the ongoing development of Zambia’s tourism and economic landscape, he said.
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About Proflight Zambia
Proflight Zambia was established in 1991 and is Zambia’s leading scheduled airline. From its base in Lusaka its domestic routes include Livingstone, Mfuwe, Ndola, Solwezi, Kalumbila, Mansa, and Jeki/Royal airstrips in Lower Zambezi; and regionally to Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town in South Africa from Lusaka.
The airline prides itself in providing a safe, reliable, efficient and friendly service, and offering good value to business and leisure travellers locally and internationally.
The airline operates a 126-seat 737-500 aircraft, three 50-seater Bombardier CRJ-100/200 jets, four 29-seater Jetstream 41 aircraft and one 18-seater Jetstream 32 aircraft.
More information is available at www.flyzambia.com.
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