ZAMBIA AVIATION SECTOR SET TO BE REVOLUTIONIZED

A strong aviation sector can lead to increased spending and stimulate economic growth and that is why players in the aviation sector should not relent in ensuring improvements in all facets, Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Board chairperson Patrick Nkoma has said.

Dr. Nkoma told The Scoop That a well-developed aviation industry can act as a catalyst for economic growth by enhancing connectivity, trade, and tourism.

He affirmed the authority’s commitment towards ensuring improved air connectivity to allow ease of movement of goods and services, attracting foreign investments, and boosting tourism, all of which would contribute to economic development.

‘As CAA we want to ensure that whoever flies from A-B is assured of safety. Travelers should be well guaranteed of safety. We are proud as an authority that passengers continue trusting Zambians aviation sector with their lives and we assure of guaranteed safety,” Dr. Nkoma said.

‘The aviation sector is ready to change the paradigm perception that to travel air is based on affordability. The civil aviation authority wants to ensure that the aviation sector is not only in the hands of the privileged people but be for everyone and easily accessed by everyone,” he said.

He said that players in the aviation sector should develop more interest in the upcoming innovations and digitization in a bid to be on the right path of aviation development.

He further commended the Government for showing the needed commitment towards boosting the aviation sector.

He said that the rate at which the Government is bringing up developments in the aviation sector with the recent one being the opening of the Kasama airport is very encouraging.

He said that players in the sector are so excited about this development which is a clear indication that development of the sector had just begun.

He underscored the importance of the aviation sector to the economy.

He further urged President Hakainde Hichilema to remain focused on his commitment to revamping the sector as it would help transform the economy and help attain the various developmental goals.

Last year the Government presented the aviation strategy covering a five-year period from 2022 to 2026 with the aim to create a competitive environment for air transport development, to increase passenger and air cargo traffic, to improve operational effectiveness and efficiency, to enhance capacity in the aviation sector, and to promote transparent stakeholder collaboration.