Ethiopian Airlines, Zambia to re-launch national carrier in a $30 million deal

Ethiopian Airlines formed a strategic partnership with Zambia Airways, a move that will see the re-launch of Zambia’s national carrier since its liquidation in 1994. The Zambian government will hold a majority stake of 55% while Ethiopian Airlines will own a 45 % stake in Zambia Airways.

Ethiopian Airlines plans to buy new jets and targets having 12 planes by 2028. Zambia Airways is meant to serve national and regional destinations first. It would later embark on international flights.

Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Tewolde Gebremariam said: “The launching of Zambia Airways will enable the traveling 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.”

Read: Ethiopian Airlines to resume multiple daily service flights to Eritrea

Re-launching the national carrier of Zambia with a view to make #Lusaka a hub for regional and international flights in Southern #Africa. More updates to come. #PanAfricanism pic.twitter.com/yqBHNExtFg

— Ethiopian Airlines (@flyethiopian) August 20, 2018

Read: Ethiopian Airlines crowned Best Airline in Africa on Skytrax 2018

Ethiopian Airlines seeks to establish multiple hubs in Africa as part of its strategy for its vision 2025. Ethiopian Airlines currently operates hubs in Lome (Togo) with ASKY Airlines and Malawian in Lilongwe (Malawi).

Tewolde in a press release said, “As an indigenous and truly Pan-African airline, we 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.”

Ethiopian Airlines continues to position itself as the leading aviation group on the continent. The Ethiopian Airlines was crowned the best Airline in Africa by Skytrax. Ethiopian Airlines currently has 100 planes in service, and has set a new target of 150 planes in service by 2025.