Gunship
7th Aug 2005, 20:21
Mhhh ok well no fine ... got this while searching for the BA story in Zambia ... :hmm:
ZAMBIA is losing at least US $1.86 million (about K9.3 billion) weekly due to the absence of a national airline, Aviation Association of Zambia (AVIAZ) trustee George Lewis has revealed.
And AVIAZ president Jacob Chisela has called for the establishment of an independent aviation board to oversee the commercial aspect of aviation in the country and reduce political interference in the sector.
Appearing before the parliamentary committee on communications, transport, works and supply chaired by Siavonga member of parliament Douglas Siakalima, Lewis said the loss magnitude underscored the urgent need to establish a national airline.
He revealed that on conservative estimates, the foreign airlines operating in Zambia earned revenues of US $3.7 million (about K18.5 billion) weekly.
“This figure is based on the assumption that these airlines only fill up 60 per cent of their capacity, but we know that their flights are almost always full,” Lewis explained.
“Now, the global airline industry is based on reciprocity, meaning that for every flight a foreign airline makes into Zambia, our airline should fly to that airline’s country of origin. So the fact that we do not have a national airline means that we are losing a minimum of US $1.86 every week to foreign carriers.”
He maintained that contrary to views that the government would have to invest hard cash in the airline, the only thing the government would need to do is hand over residue assets from the defunct Zambia Airways and guarantee the carrier’s survival by committing to fight for reciprocity with other governments whose airlines serviced Zambia.
Asked by Siakalima whether it was wise to liquidate Zambia Airways, Lewis answered: “That was a very big mistake because it left us with no carrier to use in times of emergency national duty. Furthermore, we must consider that at the time Zambia Airways was liquidated, Kenya Airways was worse off but the Kenyan government did not kill it and today, it has reverted to profitability.”
He said to further guarantee the national airline’s survival, no one investor should be allowed to hold more than five per cent shares, “which will shield it from the fate of Aero Zambia and Zambian Express, two airlines that were killed because their majority shareholders fell out with the government.”
And in his submission, Chisela said establishing an independent aviation board would enable the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) to focus on managing the technical issues of the aviation sector.
He added that this would enhance the director of civil aviation’s independence from the permanent secretary’s overbearing influence.
“Establishing such a board will mean that the DCA will be responsible only for licensing of aircraft and crews, including other operators who need licences,” he said.
“Commercial decisions in terms of which airline services what route will be made by the board, as well as settlement of disputes between and among operators. This will ensure that whoever gets a particular route does not get it because they know someone in power but because they are competent enough to manage it,” Chisela said. :hmm:
http://www.post.co.zm/business.html
ZAMBIA is losing at least US $1.86 million (about K9.3 billion) weekly due to the absence of a national airline, Aviation Association of Zambia (AVIAZ) trustee George Lewis has revealed.
And AVIAZ president Jacob Chisela has called for the establishment of an independent aviation board to oversee the commercial aspect of aviation in the country and reduce political interference in the sector.
Appearing before the parliamentary committee on communications, transport, works and supply chaired by Siavonga member of parliament Douglas Siakalima, Lewis said the loss magnitude underscored the urgent need to establish a national airline.
He revealed that on conservative estimates, the foreign airlines operating in Zambia earned revenues of US $3.7 million (about K18.5 billion) weekly.
“This figure is based on the assumption that these airlines only fill up 60 per cent of their capacity, but we know that their flights are almost always full,” Lewis explained.
“Now, the global airline industry is based on reciprocity, meaning that for every flight a foreign airline makes into Zambia, our airline should fly to that airline’s country of origin. So the fact that we do not have a national airline means that we are losing a minimum of US $1.86 every week to foreign carriers.”
He maintained that contrary to views that the government would have to invest hard cash in the airline, the only thing the government would need to do is hand over residue assets from the defunct Zambia Airways and guarantee the carrier’s survival by committing to fight for reciprocity with other governments whose airlines serviced Zambia.
Asked by Siakalima whether it was wise to liquidate Zambia Airways, Lewis answered: “That was a very big mistake because it left us with no carrier to use in times of emergency national duty. Furthermore, we must consider that at the time Zambia Airways was liquidated, Kenya Airways was worse off but the Kenyan government did not kill it and today, it has reverted to profitability.”
He said to further guarantee the national airline’s survival, no one investor should be allowed to hold more than five per cent shares, “which will shield it from the fate of Aero Zambia and Zambian Express, two airlines that were killed because their majority shareholders fell out with the government.”
And in his submission, Chisela said establishing an independent aviation board would enable the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) to focus on managing the technical issues of the aviation sector.
He added that this would enhance the director of civil aviation’s independence from the permanent secretary’s overbearing influence.
“Establishing such a board will mean that the DCA will be responsible only for licensing of aircraft and crews, including other operators who need licences,” he said.
“Commercial decisions in terms of which airline services what route will be made by the board, as well as settlement of disputes between and among operators. This will ensure that whoever gets a particular route does not get it because they know someone in power but because they are competent enough to manage it,” Chisela said. :hmm:
http://www.post.co.zm/business.html