Plans to revive Zambia Airways after 20 years have reached a concluding stage, as a result of deal with Ethiopian Airlines worth $30m (Âú24m).
Africa’s newest national carrier is to begin flights later this year on 12 aircraft to destinations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. By 2018 is it expected to carry 1.9 million passengers.
The Zambian government’s main development agency will hold a 55 percent stake, while Ethiopian Airlines will maintain a 45 stake.
It is hoped the investment will help make the country a Southern African hub, to rival Johannesburg in South Africa.
Zambia hopes the deal will accelerate the country’s industrialisation and boost tourism.
The Ethiopian carrier has several similar deals in the pipeline and has also put in a bid to run Nigeria Air when it is revived.
