Proflight Zambia is spearheading efforts to foster a unified and connected African aviation industry, advocating for critical investments in infrastructure, harmonized regulations, and aligned policies to unlock the continent’s vast air travel potential.
During the 2025 Zambia Travel Expo (ZATEX) and the ICAO African & Indian Ocean (AFI) Aviation Week held in Victoria Falls, Proflight executives underscored the urgent need for collaboration to enhance intra-African connectivity.
Keira Langford Johnson, Proflight’s Director of Business Development, emphasized that strategic alignment among airlines, airports, and governments could drastically lower costs and improve accessibility across the region.
“We firmly believe that aligning policies and investments among airlines, governments, and airports is key to making regional air travel more affordable and accessible,” she stated during a ZATEX panel discussion on boosting tourism through enhanced air connectivity.
Africa saw a 9% increase in international arrivals in the first quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, Zambia has earmarked over K700 million in its 2025 national budget to upgrade provincial aerodromes—laying the foundation for an aviation-driven economic resurgence.
At the ICAO AFI Aviation Week, Vincent Banda, Proflight’s Director of Ground Operations, Cargo, and Catering Services, recounted the airline’s evolution from a single-aircraft charter service to a leading domestic and regional carrier.
“By educating travelers, expanding our route network, and leveraging digital platforms, we’ve positioned ourselves as a driver of intra-African connectivity,” Banda said.
In 2024, Proflight Zambia carried more than 276,000 passengers and employs 280 staff—38% of whom are women.
The airline is increasingly using technology and data analytics to identify underserved routes, enhance customer experience, and promote public-private partnerships for sustainable airport development.
Following the recent launch of direct flights between Livingstone and Cape Town, Proflight’s growth strategy continues to prioritize affordability, accessibility, and resilience.
Key stakeholders, including Zambia’s Minister of Transport and ICAO officials, echoed calls for reduced fuel levies and accelerated implementation of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), seen as vital to achieving open skies and realizing Africa’s aviation potential.
