On the heels of massive growth in its international air access, Proflight Zambia is further connecting the Mother City with key African cities by launching its first-ever direct flights from Cape Town to Lusaka.
The enhanced schedule offers flights on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday as the only direct air connection between Cape Town International Airport and Kenneth Kaunda International Airport starting in February 2024. Flight trips run for approximately 3.5 hours and bypass the need for stopovers in Johannesburg.
‘This direct route is a game-changer that exponentially expands opportunities for both regions across business, leisure travel and culture,’ says Josias Walubita, Director of Flight Operations of Proflight Zambia.
‘The Western Cape has tremendous tourism appeal and economic potential, and our flights emerge as part of the Cape Town Air Access’s initiative to enhance its global connectivity, evidenced by a notable year-on-year growth in international passenger traffic through Cape Town’s terminals.’
Easy Zambian encounters with direct flights from Cape Town to Lusaka
The Cape Town Air Access initiative was formed in 2015 to enhance direct long-haul flight connections into Cape Town International Airport and saw international passenger numbers rise 13% year-on-year this past January to over 316,000 two-way passengers.
“We have seen incredible growth in recent years in visitors from Zambia, with over 145,000 Zambian travellers coming to South Africa in 2023 compared to 116,000 in 2022,’ continued Josias. ‘This direct air link comes at an ideal time to facilitate trade and investment partnerships as companies from both countries now have an easy, seamless way to connect through Cape Town International Airport.’
To commemorate the new flights from Cape Town to Lusaka, Proflight Zambia partnered with the Taj Cape Town hotel to host a launch event on February 21 and look at opportunities this new link will bring for tourism, trade, and investment between the two cities and countries.
‘The introduction of the Cape Town to Lusaka direct flight path is more than a new route; it’s an invitation to connect two of Southern Africa’s top tourism and business travel destinations and foster growth in East Africa,” says Mark Wernich, Cluster Manager at Taj Hotels.
‘This route connecting Cape Town to Lusaka will open new doors for regional cooperation, trade, and cultural exchange. Enhanced connectivity will attract investment and bolster job creation, fostering sustainable business development and driving regional economic growth. We commend Proflight for this initiative that promises to boost tourism and diversify the travel options between the two countries.’
The convenience of the direct air link also comes as a boon to the crucial MICE segment – meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions – which is expected to flourish with improved connectivity thanks to these direct flights from Cape Town to Lusaka. Additionally, luxury leisure travellers can now enjoy a seamless journey from Cape Town to East Africa, seeking both ‘wine’ and ‘safari’ experiences.
By bringing executives and decision-makers closer together, the strengthened connections are set to spur new B2B opportunities, deals, and trade partnerships between South African and Zambian companies.
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