Zambia hails lifting of ban on planes flying into Euro airspace

The Zambian government on Friday welcomed a decision by the European Union (EU) to lift a ban on the country's registered planes from flying into European airspace, saying it will go a long way in improving the country's tourism and trade.

Ministry of Transport and Communication Permanent Secretary Misheck Lungu said at a joint press briefing with the EU representative that the resumption of Zambian registered airlines flying into EU airspace will boost exports of fresh agricultural products.

He said Zambia had continued producing organic products which were on high demand in Europe, adding that the lifting of the ban will provide easy access to the markets there.

Meanwhile, EU Representative to Zambia Alessandro Mariani said the lifting of the ban will provide immediate economic benefits to Zambia because travel agents across the globe now have information that the country's airlines were safe.

This, he said, will also see an increase in the number of tourist inflow because international tourists will now be able to have confidence in using local airlines.

He attributed the lifting of the ban to a number of measures with the Zambian authorities over the years to improve safety standards.

Zambia's Civil Aviation Authority now has an opportunity to benefit from 3 million Euros in support from the EU aimed at assisting it to improve safety performances, regulation and training, he added.

The EU, he said, was also working with aviation authorities in Zambia on a new program worth 5.6 million Euros as part of efforts to consolidate air safety in Zambia.

In 2009, the European Aviation Agency (EASA) imposed a ban on Zambia and stopped Zambian registered planes from flying into the Euro airspace due to poor safety standards. But according to an updated EU air safety list released on Thursday, Zambia was removed from the list. Endit