Zambia: NACL embarks on project to expand HMNIA airport
By Nawa Mutumweno – Aviation has proved to be a significant business and foreign exchange earner for many countries. Zambia is no exception.
Any investment into this sector will definitely yield a healthy return for the country. Airports play an integral role in the development of the tourism industry, underscoring the importance of refurbishing the aviation facilities to ensure quality service to the discerning traveller and tourists, be they foreign or local.
Zambia’s National Airports Corporation Limited (NACL) has embarked on an expansion and upgrade programme of the country’s four international airports to enhance competitiveness in the region and the continent as a whole.
The project to upgrade and expand the aviation facilities kicked off with the Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (HMNIA) in the tourist capital, Livingstone with the construction of the new international passenger terminal commencing in August 2010 at a cost of $40 million. The old terminal which will now be used for domestic and VIP purposes only will be rehabilitated under Phase Three of the project.
Despite the project timeliness being rather constrict, HMNIA opened its gates to the first international travellers on August 21, 2013 in good time for the UNWTO conference, much to the delight of the passengers, NACL management and staff and government.
‘’Building of the new terminal is one of the ways in which NACL is augmenting government’s drive to position tourism at the heart of our country’s economic development. Completion of all features at the new terminal is scheduled for November 2013 with the commissioning of the terminal to follow soon after,’’ said company managing director Robinson Misitala.
Commencement of the construction of the new terminal at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) is scheduled to start soon. Located in the capital city, the current airport which was built in 1967 is the main gateway into Zambia and hub for the continent, hence the financial injection aimed at developing a brand new terminal.
This project will see the construction of an apron, taxi ways, fire appliance bay, and control tower and airport hotels with a capacity of 110 beds. The total cost of the project which will take about four years to complete is pegged at $360 million.
‘’Construction of the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport terminal building is next in line with works scheduled to commence in September 2013 at a cost of $360 million,’’ he elaborated.
The Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (SMKIA) will be a greenfield airport to be constructed from the current location at a cost of $522 million. This airport master piece is set to add to the changing face of Ndola city which is home to the first ultra-modern stadium, named Levy Mwanawasa after the late third Zambian president, and two major shopping malls.
‘’The plan for the Simon Mwansa International Airport is to relocate to a new site for a greenfield airport to be constructed at a cost of $522 million, while Mfuwe will also be rehabilitated because of its vast potential to develop eco-tourism,’’ he explained.
NAC on September 11 commemorated 24 years, looking with pride over the achievements it has scored over the years since it took over operations from the Department of Civil Aviation on that date in 1989.
The Corporation’s mandate is to develop, maintain and manage the four designated international airports. KKIA was previously known as Lusaka International Airport; HMNIA (Livingstone International Airport); and SMKIA (Ndola International Airport). The three airports were, however, renamed after the change of government in September 2011 when the Patriotic Front (PF) government was ushered into office. It was deemed pertinent to honour the heroes who played a leading role in the liberation of the country from colonial rule under the British.
‘’We are confident that we are taking the step in the right direction by undertaking various initiatives aimed at improving aviation in this country. Three years ago, we embarked on an ambitious infrastructure development project which will see the expansion and upgrade of all our four international airports,’’ he enthused.
The infrastructure development and expansion programme that we have embarked on has been necessitated by the anticipated growth in passenger numbers by the year 2029.
This is according to projections by Jacobs Consultancy who were engaged under the United States Technical Development Assistance (USTDA) framework through the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications to prepare Airport Master Plans for the four international airports.
At a conference held in Lusaka last year, to discuss the challenges of airport development in Africa, the Airports Council International (ACI) noted that traffic development in Africa has been challenging over the last few years with passenger and cargo traffic following an erratic path by growing one year and contracting the next. This is despite Africa having huge potential for growth when compared to the US, China and Europe.
The conference themed ‘’Overcoming the challenges of airport development in Africa’’ was aimed at finding solutions to various challenges that confront the aviation industry on the continent by exchanging notes on experiences, trends, knowledge and ideas that are producing positive results.
‘’Although many African countries have embarked on rehabilitation and construction of vital infrastructure and systems that are quickly attracting investors locally and internationally, this however has not been without challenges, In some countries in West Africa and in South Africa, there have been efforts to keep with the global trend but much still needs to be done,’’ the conference observed.
Studies have shown that sub-Saharan Africa was the highest growing passenger market in the world in 2011 at 8.5% well ahead of the Middle East, the second best performer and Asia-Pacific which grew 2 percentage points lower at 6.5%, ACI says.
According to a study by the Air Transport Action Group (ATAG), passenger numbers in Africa were expected to expand from 67.7million in 2010 to 150.3 million in 2030. Such expansion in activity should generate sufficient economic returns.
ATAG forecasts that aviation’s direct contribution to GDP in Africa will increase by 5% per annum in real terms over the next 20 years, helping to create an additional 66 000 jobs across the region by 2030.
And addressing the gathering, Mr. Misitala had this to say: ‘’Africa needs to grow in tandem with global developments, improved infrastructure will no doubt attract investors and tourists. I must admit that the challenges we are facing as NACL is that our airport infrastructure is old and outdated in many ways compared to other airports in the region. Our structures are over 40 years old. Inspired by each other, we can find the right solutions to the challenges of airport infrastructure development we are facing.’’
Africa in general, and Zambia in particular, should do more to ensure that such positive and lofty aspirations are translated into reality by putting in place infrastructure that supports this growth and marketing their destinations effectively.
Zambia should vigorously pursue the re-establishment of a national flag carrier. Only then will its aviation industry stand head and shoulder with others in the region and beyond.
