The VintageAirRally arrived safely in Zambia, as planned, on 3rd December 2016, on route from Songwe, Tanzania. The Puma Energy Zambia Aviation team did their first refuel of Aviation Gasoil in Kasama. The VintageAirRally teams were today, 4th December, welcomed at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka before they put on the first air show in Zambia, in partnership with the Zambia Air Force (ZAF) for the Lusaka community.
Lusaka community members, delegates from Government, Diplomatic Corps, Puma Energy and various guests attended to celebrate and cheer VintageAirRally’s 7th country landing during this once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Guests had the opportunity to meet the pilots and see the vintage aircrafts up close during a funfair that was staged, ensuring a great family day out. The guest of honour was the Minister of Tourism, Arts & Culture, Honourable Charles Banda.
The Minister mentioned that the Government has undertaken specific policy interventions especially in the Tourism sector to create economic diversification and job creation in line with the Seventh National Development Plan. He further stated that Government’s policy decision to discontinue price subsidies on Jet fuel and leave the sourcing & pricing of the commodity to the private sector was working well. “There have been no major Jet fuel shortages and the price of the product is purely market based. In this regard, we are most appreciative to PUMA Energy Zambia for keeping the Aviation sector well oiled’” Honourable Banda said.
All proceeds from this charity VintageAirRally will go to BirdLife International to help protect the African vulture, which is under threat of extinction as well as Seed Bombing, to assist with reforestation in much needed regions in Africa that have experienced serious deforestation.
“Puma Energy Zambia is delighted to be a major host of the rally. We are committed to assuring the quality and the security of our products and we are delighted to be contributing to keeping the rally running smoothly. Our role in supporting tourism in Zambia remains a critical part of our participation in such activities,” said Yahaya Yunusa, General Manager of Puma Energy Zambia.
The VintageAirRally involves aircrafts built in the 1920s and 1930s operated by experienced pilots from different corners of the globe, making their way along a 12,800km+ route across Africa from the island of Crete in Greece to Cape Town, South Africa.
The rally commenced on 12th November 2016 in Crete, Greece and the entire trip will take 35 days covering 10 countries from where it started off to Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and from Zambia will proceed to Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa.
Puma Energy Zambia is fully prepared in hosting the teams and providing all the necessary services and fuel required to ensure safe flights and a smooth rally. The aircraft use Avgas fuel only and Puma Energy being the only supplier of Avgas in the country will serve the aircraft whilst in Zambia.
“Our team on the ground is well equipped to meet and serve this delegation with the highest level of service and quality of product. Our Aviation depot network will facilitate refuelling in all the landings of the planned route,” said Mr Yunusa.
Zambia is making history by being one of the privileged countries on the continent selected for this rally to pass through. “We welcome the public to be part of this historic adventure when the vintage planes pass through their area as well as the events that will take place to promote tourism,” concluded Yunusa.
We can only sit and watch.