Proflight promises to link Dar, Lusaka

THREE direct passenger planes will fly between Zambian capital, Lusaka and Dar es Salaam as the two countries move towards cementing their bilateral trade and diplomatic ties later.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday evening after the maiden flight landed at Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA), the airline’s local representative, Mr Mustafa Rajan said flight frequencies will increase in future, depending on the market response.

“We expect to have more passengers lining up for this direct flight between Lusaka’s Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and JNIA which will then force us to increase the number of flights weekly,” said Mr Rajan.

Passengers disembarking from the three hour Jetstream 41 plane said they had enjoyed good services and convenient flight.

“It’s convenient and serves us from the hassle of transiting in Nairobi or Kampala and Kigali,” said Rehema Alfred, one of the passengers in the maiden flight.

She said the direct flight will also help customers reduce the cost of flying and travel time. A senior official from Zambian High Commission, Elizabeth Phiri said Proflight will enhance brotherly relations between the two countries as it will address transport barrier between the two capitals.

Referring to Tanzania Zambia Railways Authority and Tanzania Zambia Oil Pipeline, Ms Phiri said bilateral trade remains dismal, saying it was time all barriers are removed to facilitate trade.

In a pre-launch statement, the airline said: “Proflight’s new route to Dar-es-Salaam builds an important link between Zambia and Tanzania which will strengthen business ties and boost two-way travel between our respective tourist destinations.”

Proflight Director of Government and Industry Affairs Capt. Philip Lemba noted that, “This is undoubtedly the fastest, most comfortable and affordable way to travel between the two cities.”

Proflight Zambia was established in 1991 and is Zambia’s only scheduled airline with another international route to the Malawian capital of Lilongwe.

The airline operates a Boeing 737 aircraft; two 29-seater Jetstream 41 aircrafts, three 18-seater Jetstream 32 and three 12-seater Cessna Caravan C208 aircraft.

SOURCE: DAILY NEWS

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