Ethiopian airlines partners with Zambian Government for the re-launch of the national carrier and to develop Lusaka as an aviation hub for Southern Africa

By Wallace Mawire

Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines

Ethiopian Airlines, the largest Aviation Group in Africa and SKYTRA certified four star global airline is has finalized shareholders agreement with the Government of Zambia for the re-launch of Zambia Airways.

It is reported that the Government of Zambia will be the majority shareholder with 55% and Ethiopian airlines will have 45% stakes in the airline.

Mr. Tewolde Gebremariam, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines said, “In line with our Vision 2025 multiple hubs strategy in Africa, we are very happy that the discussionswith the Zambian government have been crowned with success.

The launching of Zambia Airways will enable the travelling public in Zambia and the Southern African region to enjoy greater connectivity options, thereby facilitating the flow of investment, trade and tourism, and contributing to the socio-economic growth of the country and the region.”

He added that as an indigenous and Pan-African airline, they firmly believe that it is only through partnerships among African carriers that the aviation industry of the continent will be able to get its fair share of the African market, currently heavily skewed in favor of non-African airlines, and play its rightful role in availing
efficient air connectivity within Africa as well as with the rest of the world.

The airline is meant to initially serve national and regional destinations before embarking on international flights.
The establishment of multiple hubs in Africa being an overarching strategy of Ethiopian airlines under its Vision 2025, the national flag carrier currently operates hubs in Lomé (Togo) with ASKY Airlines and Malawian in Lilongwe (Malawi).