Zambia's airports see 6 pct growth in passenger arrivals in Q1

Zambia's international airports recorded a six percent growth in passenger arrivals during the first quarter of this year, a government agency that runs the airports said in a statement on Sunday.

The country saw 350,000 passengers enter at its four main international airports during the period representing a six percent growth compared to the same period last year, the Zambia Airports Corporation Limited said in the statement.

"During the same period last year, 336,010 passengers used the airports meaning that there was a growth of nearly 20,000 passengers this year," Mweembe Sikaulu, the agency's communications and brand manager said.

He said records indicate that during the period, international passengers grew by nine percent while domestic passengers declined by 10 percent.

He attributed the increase in passenger arrivals to a relatively stable economy, the recently held International Parliamentary Union general assembly and reduced cases of Ebola in West Africa.

Cargo grew by five percent while mail declined by 2.8 percent, he added.

Zambia has four international airports namely the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, the country's capital, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe Airport in Ndola city in the Copperbelt Province, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula Airport in the southern city of Livingstone and Mfuwe in eastern Zambia. Endit