GOVERNMENT is in talks with Fly Zambia investors who want to set up a national airline under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative. The airline will be managed by a group of investors from South Africa and Zambia in a partnership arrangement.
The airline will use the Fokker 100 and Fokker 50 aircrafts which have low operational costs. The regional routes will include Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Transport, Works, Supply and Communications permanent secretary Dominic Sichanga said the proposed airline will be driven by the private sector. Mr Sichinga said in an interview in Lusaka that the airline, once set up, will have a positive social and economic impact on the nation.
“We had a discussion with Fly Zambia on the need to set up a national carrier. We are still studying their proposal and our technical team is looking at how this airline will be set up under PPP arrangements,” he said.
He said transport is important to national development and the government is also looking at improving transport infrastructure such as airports and harbours.
Mr Sichinga said Mpulungu Harbour is one port that Government is considering to revive by making it a gateway to the great lakes region. “Since we took over Mpulungu recently, we want to make the port economically viable since the port is nearest to the markets in the great Lakes region,” he said.
He said the country has been using Mpulungu to export it sugar and cement steel will now be exported using the same port.
Meanwhile, a technical team engaged in talks with a Turkish firm, Guris Holding on the development of a new international terminal in Lusaka is expected to conclude discussions soon.
The team will then submit a report to Government to indicate whether the bidder is responsive to the demands of infrastructure development at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka.
Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication permanent secretary Dominic Sichinga who confirmed this in an interview said negotiations are progressing well.
Recently, Guris Holdings won the tender after Government advertised for a concessionaire for the development of a new international terminal which attracted Chinese companies, South African firm and a consortium of Zambians with an international company.
Mr Sichinga said at the end of negotiations, the technical team will report to the Public Private Partnership (PPP) council of ministers which will scrutinise the recommendations.
“Government will need to study the report. It will either accept the recommendations of the technical team or proceed to negotiate with the next bidder,” he said.
Mr Sichinga said Government has made 21 proposals to be considered that include a new terminal building with a capacity to handle 5,000,000 passengers annually, a runway, five star hotel and an expanded dual carriage way leading to the airport, among other things.
“We want a bigger terminal of modern architecture. Because of security issues, most airports are now made of glass (material) and we want such kind of a structure,” he said.
He said there is need to upgrade on security measures to international standards otherwise Zambia would be vulnerable to safety threats. The proposed new airport will also have a VIP terminal for presidents and other international dignitaries and existing terminal at the KK International Airport will serve as a domestic terminal.
Mr Sichinga said the concessional period has not been agreed upon but would depend on the investment in the project, marketing strategy of the client and revenue projections.
He said the marketing structure will look at whether Guris Holdings will introduce more new airline routes into the country such as Turkish Airline and boost local tourism.
[Zambia DAily Mail]
mwatampako,if it will be driven by the public sector wwhy get involved,efyatampile na chiluba,national airline,national airline
IT is called a PPP initiative and the trend the world over for government to facilitate development in those sectors where the market forces do not lead to sustainable growth and development. The airline industry is one such sector especially in Africa where government gets involved through PPP (which by the way stands for Public-Private-Partnerships) mainly because the massive entry barriers and high operating costs which make it difficult for the airelines to operate porfitably the first few years hence govts involvment through subsidies of some sorts. However the problem arises in Africa that dues to government ineffeciers or corruption the airline ends up being abused..mainly by govt not paying for the services.
Sounds wishy-wishy and too cosmetic. I end here.
Please include Dar Es Salam, in the routes. Also please operate like Ryanair.com with plastic seats and with no frills like a bus, passengers carry their own luggage to the aircraft and pay by weight of luggage, put luggage underneath, get on plane, fly land collect luggage at plane and leave for customs. one flight in each direction morning and night so you can fly to JHB in a.m. and back at night US$100 round trip with extra for luggage so you can bring lots of mechadise.
same for mozambique, and tanzania and angola and RSA When more planes also then leave from JHB in a.m. and back at night so planes busy and going both ways all the time.
I hope the new terminal will be a structure of international standards instead of the embarrasing airstrip we have now.The new national carrier should be free of political patronage that doomed our old airline and its workers need to have a work ethic instead of the sick old attitudes that serving customers was a favour rather than an honourable obligation.
My Government at work
WOW ni Donchi Kubeba chachine!!! if you guys can manage even 30% of OR Tambo International in Johannesburg that will be a great feat.
The idea of a national airline is fine but why are they talking to one group of investors? Why can’t they float a public tender (under PPP) so that other interested players can submit proposals? This, to me, smacks of single sourcing which is putting a lot of MMD people in trouble right now.
Did you read the article? This is what it says: “Recently, Guris Holdings won the tender after Government advertised for a concessionaire for the development of a new international terminal which attracted Chinese companies, South African firm and a consortium of Zambians with an international company. ”
If discussions fail with Guris then they move to the 2nd best tender that was received. That is how tenders are awarded world over. You advertise (as they say they did), recieve responses, rank them, engage with the best one (which was most responsive to the terms of reference and within allocated budget), if negotations fail maybe due to price then you engage the 2nd best. So sounds like they are following a very transparent process as it is!!
#4.1 Blablabl, the topic #4 is talking about is on the national airline and you are yapping about the KK airport tender. See the difference?
Well perceived idea especially that private and not governement will run the airline….welcome back ZAMBIA AIRWAYS…… PF working indeed
Dominic, stop just talking, quickly get this new airterminal done. The current one is a shame and an embrassment to a moderately rich country like Zambia. It looks like a building in Mogadishu or at best a Chicken Run. It is not even fit for a domestic terminal- demolish it or rehabilitate it to remove those unsightly fancy bricks. Remember visitors’ impressions start from the airport.
Ree, talk is cheap…
This is good. Building on the MMD foundation. That’s what development is all about, not destroying everything others started and then starting from nowhere. It’s good that Mr Sata has learnt from Chilba’s mistakes.
I likd the way things are moving in the country now. Godwilling, we’ll have made up for the past development-stagnated decades at the end of the Sata-administration.
number one please spare us the details. we know at one time you could have flown to some destination but please those details just go to show your village intelligence. everyone who flies knows about those things you big mukolwe
# 4 Did you read the article? This is what it says: “Recently, Guris Holdings won the tender after Government advertised for a concessionaire for the development of a new international terminal which attracted Chinese companies, South African firm and a consortium of Zambians with an international company. ”
If discussions fail with Guris then they move to the 2nd best tender that was received. That is how tenders are awarded world over. You advertise (as they say they did), recieve responses, rank them, engage with the best one (which was most responsive to the terms of reference and within allocated budget), if negotations fail maybe due to price then you engage the 2nd best. So sounds like they are following a very transparent process as it is!!
For a better zambia, 20 thumps @9!!!! well explained.Thats the methodology we need to inculcate in Zambians. they read and not understand. no wonder we have such filthy and retrogressive comments.
i would wish too for the editors to be allowing posting what is worthy for a knowledge moderate country like Zambia.
The drawings for the new airport are beautiful.International standard .Please move quickly .I just hope MCS wont reject these ideas since they were started by RB.What i have discovered is RB negotiated alot of developmental projects but their was always a cut for him and his sons.These are the things that are annoying Sata.Whats wrong with that old man ??
thats what development is all about…atleast its gona make sense havin a national carrier n buildin a new terminal is jst a gd idea thnx H.E MC Sata!!!same should happen to Ndola n the rest of the aiports..they should even rehabilitate the roads coz they pathetic..too many pot holes!!GVt at work ncohi the Rude boy’s gvt…i hope he oredy at his farm coz its already cultivation time!!
Time for games and mediocrity is over…..byie byieeee RB,BYIEEEE MMD. Show them mr president that governance and politics is a serious undertaking NOT for Under 5s or the CORRUPT…..Truly seasoned politician ,you are. So far, so good…….
Viva Your Excellency MCS. Don’t kubeba
Support Zambezi Airlines if its Zambian owned as i used them recently for two flights and their food is better than a well known airline on international routes.
Their service is good but they need to update their planes as the one i was due to fly out on had to be swapped with one just landed (8am flight that landed was used for 9am departure)
There was plenty of seats available on both flights in and out…They were cheap compared to other airlines(1/2 price) so support them if Zambian owned.
Good move and well done boma.
#9 Blablabl, the topic #4 is talking about is on the national airline and you are yapping about the KK airport tender. See the difference?
I was actually referring to ‘Ricky Bobby’ who is indeed talking about Airport tender and not the airline. I have just noted that LT is changing the ‘numbering’ of our comments which is causing confusion when one references a comment using the number only and not the name of the blogger. You will not that in your comment you refe to me as #9 Blablabla but my comment which you are refering to is no longer at number 9. I hope LT will address this issue.. or we just stop using the number only to refer to a comment.
No 1 you have no brains.
@10 ,MM2011 where are the KK AIRPORT drawings, can someone provide me a link please…..woooow it seems time for serious work and action has dawned!! Development shud not take 20 yrs MMD, or even 3yrs RB
# 4 Ricky Bobby. Good comment. We DO NOT WANT JUST TO BE TOLD THAT THEY ARE HAVING DISCUSSIONS WITH SOME COMPANY for the Airline. How did they choose that company in the first? We voted out MMD for things like that.
Did you read the article? This is what it says: “Recently, Guris Holdings won the tender after Government advertised for a concessionaire for the development of a new international terminal which attracted Chinese companies, South African firm and a consortium of Zambians with an international company. ”
If discussions fail with Guris then they move to the 2nd best tender that was received. That is how tenders are awarded world over. You advertise (as they say they did), recieve responses, rank them, engage with the best one (which was most responsive to the terms of reference and within allocated budget), if negotations fail maybe due to price then you engage the 2nd best. So sounds like they are following a very transparent process as it is!!
Please take time with the project we want first class workmanship and finish. Dont rush it in time for next elections. if it takes 5 years once started so be it. This plan was there under MMD but they never saw the real importance of a gateway of this magnitude as a priority. Go PF government
I hope this intended project does not end at drawing board and gather dust. Its not being serious a middle income country like Zed not having a National Airline.We have allowed foreign flyers making it in Zambia two flights a day for seven days. PF Govt should treat this as an emergency.Get some pilots from ZAF and convert them into commercial ones and ZAF will make some income as ordered by the President. Make Presidential Chopper available for executive hire within Zambia that again will generate income for ZAF as pilots will log more flying times.
I will post the drawings later today for all to see.New airport looks modern and is state of the art.PF should move quickly on this project.Please dont politicize it.Time for politics is over .We are dying to see real development.We want new roads,new constitution,new hospitals and new jobs for the 3.5m zambiana with no jobs.National airline is a great idea .It will boost tourism and promote our brand abroad.Zambia is a great brand that needs real marketing .God bless her.
The expansion/upgrade of that airport is so long overdue. I hope the projects takes off ASAP
Ummm that national airline does sound dodgy indeed. I hope the wont be any costly complications with it. But please get on with the new look for KK Airport
Until recently i was for the idea that GRZ partners with Zambezi Airlines in forming the so called national airline. Two weeks ago, i choose to be more patriotic and used Zambezi airlines to and from Jo’burg. While the service on the plane is ok and flight attendants are well trained, the same can not be said of the ground staff. They are rude with really bad attitudes. The attitude problems even spreads to their management. Frankly speaking i had a terrible experience with this airline and i have VOWED never to use it again. For now i have resorted to paying a liitle more and using SAA. Hopely the new airline will be better than Zambezi Airlines.
Renaming of airports should have come after upgrading anyway no hard feelings just saying. Sata and his team need to work on our airport especially KK airport, it is a shame that that is our main airport.
#25 Mufaweli…where have you been? Both Fly Zambia and the planned new Guris Airport terminal are a continuation of MMD projects. Situmbeko Musokotwane got insulted on this same website after he announced that a Turkish company, Guris had won a tender to construct a new terminal at Lun Airport under a PPP. PF supporters even suggested that this ‘corrupt project’ will be cancelled when Sata comes into power! And today we are being told that PF is in action compared to the MMD? In action over projects started and approved by MMD?
We can learn from Kenya Airways and Ethiopia Airlines how they manage to be in business. Public Private Partnership is the way to go sure. Otherwise politicians will always ruin things, doesnt matter how well they start or which political party. They are all the same. That’s why parastatal companies fail.
This is absolute NONSENSE! Why are you again beginning to run to the South Africans? If it’s a private initiative you want, talk to fly zambia, Zambian investors, talk to Zambezi Airlines, then have a public input via the stock exchange.This is how the corruption begins in Zambia. I hope Mr. Sata, does not endorse this crazy scheme. Mr Sichinga, Mr. of commerce, smell the coffee, no corruption please! This same South Africans, are working to dominate the Zambian economy and you keep running to them at every whim of your fancy, what stupidity.
Sounds like a liabity. The scheme is of no substance. It is not development. Rather it’s retrogressing. We have seen it all before. In these parts, national airlines end up in smoke. We need projects that are realistic.
National airline with private owners! how different is it from Zambezi Airlines
We expected Air Mukwayi to be launched.Hoping the Airline will not be a loss making airline.it won’t drain the national coffers, most airlines survive on national coffers, eg SAA.The news should not be received without a lot of excitement.In the long run it might end up being a burden.
#36 let the national airline take place whether it makes profit or not as long as it gives some people jobs, look at Air Zimbabwe and SAA, they do run at no profit but they are being helped by their governments because the government is for people and no certain individuals. please let sata work alone a man of action. the only thing i can say is for the government not to buy the Fokker aircraft because they are old which can lead bad name due to anticipated aircraft crashes hence losing business and being banned to flying to Europe, moreover they are noisy
The security at the international airport is so risky that is why we have a high rate of drug dealers passing through security in zambia and cought in the east. Do those scanners even work? Anyone can walk in and out once they have checked in. that is why you see those chinese excited when they smuggle national tophies and no one form National Qirports butts nd eye lid. The chinese should not be allowed to have anything tod o with buiilding anything in Zambia. They have a habit of buidling sub-standard things. The chinese have a vested interested only so they can put in place doggy equipment that will allow them to smuggle stuff easily.
Was there a public tender for fly zambia to be considered. Mwayamba naimwe madilu te?? This is not good i hope SATA does not support this. ABASH FLY ZAMBIA where has it come from and who are the directors. is it the post and mutembo nchito with their south african friends? PF BE TRANSPARENT OTHERWISE I WILL WITHDRAW MY VOTE
Sichinga is still in Office? Fire him he has lapgreen painted all over him him nad his Dora Siliya…youc an only eat once not twice mwiche
Why cant this govt learn to work in a transparent manner? Are they not supposed to invite tenders and proposals for this work? It seems people have already decided what is going to be done. In many countries what normally happens with all work done by Organs of State is a tender process inviting all interested parties. Such murky procedures are a recipe for corruption. Also I do not see how private individuals will set up a ‘national’ airline which will be affordable to many Zambians. The current model that many countries such as SA are using is a corporate national airline totally owned by State and whose CEO and nobody else is appointed by the State. The airline also receives a subsidy to help with operations.
its interesting to know that we are starting a National Airline, but to be run privately….how will that be?and i hope the people who they are calling TECHNICAL TEAM are non of the ones who owned private airlines before and have failed, becoz mostly those are still owing a lot of people, banks, parastatals etc…we hope the team is new…
Donchi ukudabwe…? next time am landing in Zambia i should be using the airbus….
Good stuff going down in Zed…lets work people
as an architect it’ll be interesting i’ve seen some of the proposals , bt. I’m not sure who the architects will be , its nice from the to say a lot of glass haha so will have an idea of ohw it’ll look the dual carriage way is essential ….as is a hotel near the airport .
Seems there is plenty of money around. RB did not clear the till
CRY THE BELOVED COUNTRY EVERY ONE IS SCRAMBLING FOR SOMETHING AS IF THEY HAVE HEARD THAT THE END IS NEAR TOO MANY COOKS AND THIS WILL SPOIL THE BROTH I HOPE IAM STILL HERE 5 YEARS FROM NOW AND WILL TELL YOU “DONCHI KUBEBA” JUST GOT PEOPLE EXCITED LET US WAIT AND SEE
Other than to massage people’s egos, why do we need a “national” carrier flying itsy-bitsy Fokker aircraft to most of the same destinations already served by Zambezi (with 373s)? Surely government has far better things to spend our tax money on than to go into competition with an emerging private business.
This issue was started by the MMD and Situmbeko was insulted for the same. PF said Sata will cancel it when he comes to power. However i doubt whether the same will take off looking at the way things are being done by one man. MMD & RB initiated good projects and the best the PF can do is to continue with them but with this firing i doubt if the hired ones will really understand without handover notes and especially that most think Sata is the one who has it all and they will put there brains on standby.
National Airline with private Investment?
National Airline with a fleet of small F£4kkers flying to DRC, just encourage the local airlines by giving them tax breaks and encouraging them to expand!!
The company/group to uplift and modernise KK International airport were done long before elections. If you ‘ve recently travelled to Zambia or visit road to Kasisi, the whole area is closed up in preparation of developments. Am currently buiding around there and signs are evident of the developments on. Surprised new companies are being picked up?
Please make a new one on the Copperbelt and name it Copperbelt International Airport that can cater for Kitwe, Ndola, Luanshya, Chingola, Kalulushi and Mufulira. It can be close to the dual carriageway.
GRZ major share holder and tu private small!
Has this not been stopped by the “king cobra”?
And does the zambian group include some newspaper fellows? the new airport is off the table
Zambia is a very rich country, i think the national carrier should take off whether it makes profit or not since it will make a lot of people to have jobs, look at SAA and Air Zimbabwe they are running at losses but they are still up in the sky. the job of the government is to create employment and this is one of them. am one of the people who ran away from Zambia looking for a job in aviation cause our clever Chiluba claused Zambia airways. Sata keep it up
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