FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WITH PICTURES
JUNE 20, 2024
A TASTE OF LOCAL FLAVOURS ABOARD PROFLIGHT
Supporting Local Businesses and Promoting Eco-Friendly Practices in the Skies
LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Proflight Zambia is soaring to new heights, not just with its expanded route network, operations, and fleet but also with its innovative, locally sourced onboard catering services that prioritise sustainability.
The airline’s unique approach to supporting homegrown businesses and promoting green practices, is helping to set local aviation excellence benchmarks.
Proflight Zambia’s Director of Ground Operations, Cargo and Catering Vincent Banda is enthusiastic about the airline’s commitment to incorporating Zambian products into its operations sharing that: “Proflight has been very active in the local sourcing and procurement of its services and products, aligning with the Proudly Zambian campaign. We ensure that we identify Zambian companies and products that meet our high standards for passenger satisfaction.”
This dedication to quality, and desire to provide customers with a truly Zambian experience, means that passengers get to enjoy a taste of the country’s finest produce; from refreshing fruit juices to savoury snacks and meals, all crafted by local service providers and manufacturers.
Flying Food is one such business that has, since 2021, offered catering services to Proflight.
Led by the enterprising Misheck Tembo, the inflight catering services company is the first – and currently the only – Zambian owned and operated enterprise of its kind.
Mr Tembo proudly highlighted the transformational impact of the partnership with Proflight, which has not only boosted the company’s operations but also fostered employment.
“With Proflight coming on board, we have grown from four workers to 76 Zambian youths. This collaboration has allowed us to comply with international airline catering standards, ensuring our food is safe and of top quality,” he explained.
Proflight Zambia’s Manager of Catering Carlyn Irwin echoes the importance of sustainability in their services. “We’ve introduced rotable dishes instead of plastic disposables, and compostable cutlery on board. We also recycle water bottles through a company in Lusaka,” she notes.
These eco-friendly initiatives are part of Proflight’s efforts to reduce waste and promote environmental responsibility and sustainability, further aligning with its commitment to reducing single-use plastic waste and empowering local businesses.
The collaboration with Flying Food is particularly noteworthy with the business blossoming and expanding to run a restaurant at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) domestic terminal.
“Our relationship with Flying Food has been mutually beneficial,” said Ms Irwin. “They will now handle catering for both our domestic and international flights starting this June, thus we are growing together.”
Mr Tembo’s vision is one of growth as the company intends to get to 100 workers and eventually open up an airline catering school to pass on expertise to more Zambians for a skilled workforce for the future.
Proflight’s menu is as dynamic as its routes, constantly evolving to include more local delicacies. This adaptability ensures a fresh and exciting culinary experience across its various routes.
“As we expand, we change our menus and continue to identify more local products,” Mr Banda stated.
Proflight’s onboard catering serves more than just meals – they are a celebration of Zambian culture, innovation, and sustainability. By supporting local businesses like Flying Food and embracing eco-friendly practices, Proflight is not only enhancing its passengers’ experience but also contributing to the economic growth and prosperity of Zambia.
The next time you fly with Proflight, be sure to find out more about the local products and snacks that you are bound to enjoy on the journey.
-Ends-
About Proflight Zambia
Proflight Zambia, established as a scheduled airline in 2005, is Zambia’s leading airline. Operating from its base in Lusaka its domestic routes include Livingstone, Mfuwe, Ndola, Solwezi, Kalumbila, Mansa, and Kasama, seasonal safari routes to Chunga airstrip in Kafue National Park 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 four 50-seater Bombardier CRJ-100/200 jets, a Bombardier CRJ-100 Freighter Jet, 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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Gillian Langmead at Langmead & Baker Ltd;
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