Update on new terminal at Victoria Falls International Airport

On Thursday 22nd May, The Airport Manager, Mr Ronnie Masawi invited members of the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe to a guided tour and site inspection of the new terminal at Victoria Falls International Airport.

The construction of the new terminal is well underway, with the 3rd and final floor of the terminal building, as well as the new 4km (60m wide) runway already nearing the final stages of construction. The runway is scheduled for completion by the end of 2014, when it will be opened in order to make provisions for the upgrading of the current runway (which will be turned into a taxi-way) as well as the extension of the current apron to out in-front of the new terminal building. The new terminal is set to open in June/July of 2015.

The refurbishment and upgrade of Vic Falls International will see the airport, as a facility, upgraded to a ‘Category 2’ airport, which means that it is a very modern airport when it comes to the navigational and safety facilities that it will offer, including an ILS (Instrument Landing System) which will enable pilots to land in either direction in periods of low visibility. Dubai International Airport is also a ‘category 2’ airport. The upgrade involves the construction of a new fire station as well as an entirely new water management infrastructure, including a new 8000m3 reservoir.

The new runway will be able to accommodate all wide-bodied aircraft, up to and including the Airbus A380 Superjumbo – however, as Mr Masawi explained to the visiting group, this does not mean that the terminal building is equipped to accommodate an A380 when it comes to ground handling logistics such as catering and baggage handling. No mention was made as to which airlines are confirmed to have new services scheduled into Victoria Falls once the new terminal building is operational.

There will be 12 customs & immigration desks in the new terminal, which is very welcome news, and is sure to relieve the pressure from the mere two that exist in the current terminal building. The current terminal will also undergo a refurbishment, and will then become a fully-fledged domestic terminal. Mr Masawi also indicated that part of the new domestic terminal upgrade will include the construction of a baggage carousel – (There will be three carousels in the arrivals hall of the new terminal). The new terminal will accommodate up to 1.2 million passengers per annum, and the domestic terminal up to 800,000.

Part of the design of the new terminal will include a large circular patio area (in-permissible, enclosed with glass) which will separate the check-in area from baggage collection section on the ground floor, as well as allow ample natural light to fall into the terminal. As is the case with most modern airports, there are no plans to include a smoking lounge or viewing platform.

Mr Ronnie Masawi and his group of contractors and engineers seem to be running a tight ship, and appear to be sticking to their schedule. The construction site of both the terminal and the runway are in a neat and tidy condition, and the Hospitality Association of Zimbabwe would like to commend all those involved on what appears to be a massive project, and one that is being handled and conducted in a most professional manner.

From the May Wild Horizons Newsletter.

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Proflight Zambia February Newsflash

Proflight Zambia February Newsflash

Baggage Allowances

Increase in Domestic Baggage Allowance

Effective 01 March 2014 the free checked baggage allowance on the Lusaka-Solwezi route increases from 15 kg’s to 23 kg’s baggage plus 5 kg’s hand baggage.

Effective 01 April 2014 the free checked baggage allowance on the Lusaka- Mfuwe route also increases to 23 kg's plus 5 kg's hand baggage

The increased baggage allowances apply from the dates indicated above regardless of the baggage allowance indicated on the ticket.

Interline Baggage Allowance: Where an international connecting flight and a Proflight sector are included on the one ticket and in the one PNR then Proflight will apply the Economy Class allowances of the interline carrier. If for any reason not all the extra interline baggage can be loaded then it will be sent free of charge on the next available flight. This policy does not apply where there are two separate tickets or where the ticket is issued on Hahn Air (169).

Domestic Check-In deadline changes to 30 minutes

In order to facilitate on-time departures, with effect From 01 April 2014 the Check-In counters will close 30 minutes prior and not the current 15 minutes deadline.

This change has been necessitated by more pre-departure formalities and an increase in the number of domestic flights.

** DON'T BE LATE - THE PLANE WON'T WAIT **

Online Check-In

Proflight will shortly introduce on-line check-in for passengers with hand-baggage only- watch this space.

Current Offers

Solwezi Sale – For a Limited time only, all Lusaka/Solwezi flights will be offered at all seats in M-Class – that is a return ticket for only K2,047 guaranteed.

Mongu Sale – For a Limited time only, Lusaka/Mongu Y-Class fare reduced - that is a return ticket for only K2,675 guaranteed.

Proflight Network Discounts - Reduced thorough-fares now available on all routes, stopover allowed of maximum 12 hours in Lusaka.

Fully inclusive Return Fares starting from:

Ndola/ Livingstone K1,504
Ndola/ Mfuwe K1,889
Ndola/ Lower Zambezi K1,450
Ndola/ Chipata K3,332
Ndola/ Lilongwe K2,576 / USD528
Ndola/ Dar-es-Salaam K4,173 / USD762
Solwezi/ Livingstone K1,891
Solwezi/ Mfuwe K2,197
Solwezi/ Lower Zambezi (Royal and Jeki) K1,778
Solwezi/ Dar-es-Salaam K4,416 / USD831
Dar-es-Salaam/ Lilongwe K5,296 / USD954
Dar-es-Salaam/ Livingstone K4,139 / USD806
Dar-es-Salaam/ Mfuwe K4,533 / USD820
Lilongwe/ Livingstone K3,120 / USD582

Specials

N’cwala Ceremony - Special flights added for Lusaka/ Chipata 21, 22, 23 February plus 20% discount using promo code NCWALACIP14

Getaway Special available at K1,320 pp return ticket Lusaka/ Mfuwe if you book within 21 days of travel for a max 5 night stay

Easter Zanzibar Direct Flights starting from only K4,600 return ticket price. Proflight direct flights will operate as below, all other dates the fare is still available in conjunction with Precision Air flights to/from Zanzibar.

Lusaka/Zanzibar direct 08:00-12:20 Thu 17Apr and Fri 18Apr

Zanzibar/Lusaka direct 14:00-16:20 Mon 21Apr and 18:00-20:20 Wed 23 Apr

Direct Zanzibar flights available for booking through Videcom, combinations with Precision Air flights to be done through Reservations only

GDS now updated to sell this fare as any of the direct flights or in conjunction with Precision Air.

Schedule Changes

Additional Ndola capacity - new late afternoon flights on Wed/Thu/Fri/Sun, Lusaka-Ndola (P00302) 15:00-15:45 and Ndola-Lusaka (P00303) 16:15-17:00

New connections to P00302: Durban at 13:00, Gaborone at 13:35, Windhoek/Harare at 12:45.

Time change 30 minutes later than current, P00306 Lusaka-Ndola now at 17:30-18:15 and P00305 Ndola-Lusaka now at 18:45-19:30.

New connection to P00306: Nairobi at 16:20

Reminders

Interline Agreements between Proflight and Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways – mean you can book a through ticket combining any Proflight destination with any Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines or Kenya Airways destination worldwide.

Precision Air interline in place allows passengers to book any Proflight destination with any Precision Air destination (Example: Mfuwe- Zanzibar, Ndola- Arusha)

Kuomboka is coming up and once dates are announced Proflight will add extra Lusaka/ Mongu capacity for this

Airtel Money can be used as a form of payment for all Proflight flights booked online.

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Emirates and Proflight Zambia Sign Global Ticketing Agreement

International passengers can now fly to Zambian domestic destinations with a single booking.

Emirates, a global connector of people and places, and Proflight Zambia, has signed an interline agreement that will make it easier for international passengers to reach domestic destinations throughout Zambia.

Popular Zambian attractions such as the Victoria Falls – one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – can now be accessed with a single ticket purchase and smooth connections from any of Emirates destinations worldwide.

Safari-goers for example will be able to book straight through to Mfuwe for the world renowned wildlife haven of South Luangwa National Park, while business customers can travel direct from Lusaka to the Copperbelt city of Ndola on scheduled Proflight services timed for smooth transfers with in-bound and out-bound Emirates flights in Lusaka.

“Our new partnership with Proflight Zambia opens up a wide range of Zambian destinations for Emirates customers, making exploring Zambia more easy and convenient than ever before. What’s more customers will enjoy even better value for money when they purchase their Emirates and Proflight Zambia flights together,” said Orhan Abbas, Emirates Senior Vice-President for Latin America, Central and Southern Africa.

“Emirates is one of the most admired airlines in the world, with an extensive global network. This agreement will undoubtedly provide new travel opportunities for their customers, as well as put Proflight and Zambia firmly on the international aviation map,” said Captain Philip Lemba, Proflight Director of Government and Industry Affairs.

Under the new agreement, customers will be able to purchase joint Emirates-Proflight Zambia itineraries and will be issued with a single combined ticket. This will enable seamless connections to and from Proflight’s eight domestic destinations: Ndola, Livingstone, Mfuwe, Solwezi, Lower Zambezi, Chipata, Mansa, Kasama and Mongu, as well as the local airline’s two international routes, Lilongwe in Malawi and Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania, with Emirates’ daily Lusaka service.

Customers will also enjoy a range of added benefits, including special fares to domestic destinations and the same baggage allowance for Proflight customers connecting from Emirates flights.

EK 713 departs Dubai every day at 0925hrs, arriving in Lusaka at 1435hrs. The service departs Lusaka at 1605hrs, arriving in Harare at 1710hrs. The return flight leaves Harare at 1850hrs, arriving Lusaka at 1955hrs. It departs Lusaka at 2140hrs and lands in Dubai at 0650hrs the next day.

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Proflight Zambia launches Mongu route

PROFLIGHT ZAMBIA LAUNCHES MONGU ROUTE

Mongu last week becomes the tenth domestic destination in Proflight Zambia’s expanding schedule of national and international routes.

The service, which was launched today (Wednesday, November 27), is the first new local route for the airline since commencing Mansa and Kasama routes more than two years ago, and means that passengers can now fly to the capitals of all the provinces in Zambia that have designated airports.

“The addition of Mongu to Proflight Zambia’s schedule is long overdue and has been received enthusiastically by travellers,” said Proflight Director of Government and Industry Affairs Capt. Philip Lemba. “We can now say that we cover the length and breadth of the country.”

Dignitaries accompanying Capt. Lemba on the inaugural flight included Mongu Central Member of Parliament and North-Western Province Minister Hon. Nathaniel Mubukwanu, Yichidi Ndhlovu from the Department of Civil Aviation, Western Province Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga and Zambia Tourism Board Publicity Co-ordinator Caristo Chitamfya.

Proflight’s twice-a-week service from Lusaka to Mongu will run on Wednesdays and Thursdays, leaving Lusaka at 07:45 on Wednesdays and arriving in Mongu at 10:05, before returning at 10:25 and arriving back in Lusaka at 12:45 on the same day. On Thursdays the flight leaves Lusaka at 12:35 and arrives in Mongu at 14:55, returning at 15:15 and touching down in Lusaka at 15:35.

The schedule is designed to fit with both business and leisure itineraries, enabling travellers to spend either a day or a week in Western Province, or indeed for Mongu travellers to travel elsewhere for similar periods.

The service will be operated using a 12-seater Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft. Return fares from Lusaka to Mongu start from around K3,502 including taxes.

Mongu is the capital of Western Province and gateway to the famous Kuomboka traditional ceremony on the Zambezi River floodplains, as well as the renowned annual wildebeest migration on the Liuwa Plains.

Proflight also flies to nine other domestic destinations within Zambia: Lusaka, Livingstone, Mfuwe, Lower Zambezi, Ndola, Solwezi, Chipata, Mansa and Kasama, as well as to Lilongwe in Malawi and Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania.

The airline is now considering services to Harare, Tete and Johannesburg, subject to regulatory approval.

Proflight Zambia celebrates 22 years of operation this year and prides itself in providing a safe, reliable, efficient and friendly service.

About Proflight Zambia

Proflight Zambia was established in 1991 and is Zambia’s only scheduled airline. From its base in Lusaka it flies to Livingstone, Mfuwe, Lower Zambezi, Ndola, Solwezi, Chipata, Mansa, Kasama and Mongu, and to Lilongwe in Malawi and Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania.

The airline prides itself in providing a safe, reliable, efficient and friendly service, and offering good value to business and leisure travellers locally and internationally.

The airline operates three 29-seater Jetstream 41 aircraft; four 18-seater Jetstream 32; and two 12-seater Cessna Caravan C208 aircraft.

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Launch of the HAC Eurocopter

‘The Eagle has landed’

HAC are pleased to announce the launch of the newest addition to their fleet, the Eurocopter B2. Based out of Harare International Airport, the Eurocopter B2 will assist HAC’s already existing fleet of King Air fixed wing aircraft in servicing clients across Southern Africa.

Specifically, helicopters are a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by rotors. This allows the machine to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forward, backward, and laterally. These attributes allow helicopters to accomplish tasks that fixed-wing aircraft and other forms of vertical takeoff and landing aircraft cannot perform.

The addition of this machine to the fleet is key in terms of HAC’s overall business strategy, they understand that their clients have a diverse set of air charter requirements and their objective is to ensure that they can meet these, whatever the set of circumstances.

Chiefly, the Eurocopter B2 will be an invaluable tool within four main areas:
1) Medical air evacuations conducted in collaboration with M.A.R.S.
2) Aerial conservation efforts across the country.
3) Specialised sling transportation requirements.
4) Private and corporate client charters.

We look forward to seeing ‘The Eagle’ take to new heights and become a pivotal part in the positive growth and protection of Zimbabwe, as well as the people that make up Zimbabwe.

Halsted’s Aviation Corporation prides itself on being a Proudly African Air Charter Service. Specialising in the Beechcraft Range of aircraft, HAC manage a portfolio that includes: Private Charters, Corporate Charters, Aircraft Management, Cargo Transportation, Medical Evacuations and Aerial Conservation.

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Proflight Zambia Independence Offer

Proflight Independence Offer

Independence long weekend is just around the corner and we are celebrating Independence by offering a 30% discount off any available Return fare on the following flights/ routes so book now! 

Book any travel any time between 23 October and 28 October and use e-Voucher promotional code INDEPENDENCE30 when you book online www.flyzambia.com. You may also book at your travel agent or Proflight Zambia office.

Route	Days of Operation	Discount
Lusaka-Dar es Salaam and v.v.	Oct 23,24 & 28	30 %
Lusaka-Lilongwe and v.v.	Oct 24,27 & 28	30 %
Lusaka-Lower Zambezi	Oct 23,24,25,26,27 & 28	30 %
Lusaka-Mfuwe and v.v.	Oct 23,24,25,26,27 & 28	30 %

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Victoria Falls Airport & Border Crossing delays

Notice from Victoria Falls activity and accommodation provider Wild Horizons

'We are experiencing long delays at both Victoria Falls Airport, on arrival, and at the Kazungula border post. The delays are brought about by the increase in the volume of traffic using these facilities in peak season. Guests on scheduled services, in particular, need to be advised that they may experience delays on arrival at Victoria Falls Airport. We have employed additional staff, who will be placed at the airport, and amended our MO in order to ensure these delays are minimized, however this will not reduce the time guests spend in immigration queues. We will also be offering complimentary bottled water on incoming airport transfers during these hot periods.

In addition to the delays experienced, summer has arrived in full force and daytime temperatures are reaching the high thirties. This is adding to the frustration of guests standing in long queues at border facilities.

We are confident that if guests are pre warned of the possible delays it will go some way to reducing their frustrations. Please do contact us, should you require any further information.'

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Proflight Zambia launches its first international flight tomorrow (Tuesday, June 4) with an inaugural flight from Lusaka to Lilongwe.

The new three-times-a-week service is expected to boost ties between the capitals of the two neighbouring countries, providing convenient connections for tourists who wish to visit both countries, and boosting trade and business travel too.

“This is an important milestone for Proflight Zambia, marking our first scheduled international flight since we began operations 22 years ago,” said the airline’s Director of Government and Industry Affairs Capt. Philip Lemba. “And we also have plans to add additional international routes in the coming months.”

Flights to the Malawian capital will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, departing from Lusaka at 15:30 and arriving in Lilongwe at 17:10. The return flights leave Lilongwe on the same days at 17:55, arriving back in Lusaka at 19:35.

The service also provides seamless connections to and from Emirates flights, which arrive in Lusaka from Dubai at 14:25 and depart from Lusaka for Dubai at 21:25 daily.
Return fares from Lusaka to Lilongwe start from around KR2,000 and will operate initially with Proflight’s 29-seater Jetstream 41 aircraft.

Passengers can book online at www.flyzambia.com, through travel agents, or through the Proflight Reservations Department on +260 (0) 977 335563; Email: reservations@proflight-zambia.com

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Proflight Zambia launches flights to Lilongwe

Trade and tourism ties between Zambia and Malawi will be given a boost next month when Proflight Zambia begins a three-times-a-week service between the Lusaka and Lilongwe capitals.

The new route, which will be launched on June 4, will be the first international destination for the airline, which already flies to nine domestic points in Zambia, including Lusaka, Livingstone, Ndola and Mfuwe.

“Proflight Zambia has grown from a solid base and is now looking forward to expanding its services to link with our neighbours in Malawi,” said the airline’s Director of Government and Industry Affairs Capt. Philip Lemba. “We expect that the new three-times a week service will boost trade and tourism ties between the two countries, with all the economic benefits that brings.”

Halsted Aviation launches Halsted Safaris and new aircraft

Halsted Aviation Corporation add a 19 seater Beechcraft Beech 1900 to their fleet and launch Halsted’s Safaris Halsted’s Aviation Corporation are very pleased to announce an addition to the HAC fleet: The Beechcraft Beech 1900, a 19 passenger, pressurized twin engine turboprop airplane. The Beechcraft Beech 1900 will be based at Harare International Airport where we look forward to servicing our client’s charter requirements across the Zambezi region as well as widespread through Southern Africa. Read more on the Zambezi Traveller website here.