Zambia cabinet approves re-establishment of national airline

LUSAKA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian cabinet has approved the re-establishment of a national airline, which will be run in collaboration with Ethiopian Airlines as a strategic partner, a senior government official said on Tuesday.

The expected budget for the first year is estimated at about 30 million U.S. dollars and the airline is expected to start operations next year, said Minister of Transport and Communication Brian Mushimba.

"The decision about a national airline had to go through a thorough and comprehensive discussion and modeling process to make sure that once the decision is made, it would be one that will stand the test of time," he told a press briefing.

The government, Mushimba said, decided to involve a strategic partner in order to share risks and not to burden the national treasury.

He said the government will be the majority shareholder of the business.

The airline will focus on servicing domestic and regional routes before growing into international routes, he added.

The partners are currently finalizing the deal and the appointment of a board.

Zambia has had no national airline since 1994, when its airline, Zambia Airways, was liquidated. Enditem