Flying the Proflight Flag - Why Zambian Airline Ownership Matters for Africa's Connectivity

By Proflight Zambia Director of Flight Operations, Captain Josias Walubita .

The issue of who owns and controls Africa's airlines is a hot topic lately, with Middle Eastern giants like Qatar Airways looking to invest and establish regional hubs across the continent. While investment is generally welcome as a catalyst for tourism and economic growth, airline ownership deserves careful scrutiny.

As a proudly Zambian airline, Proflight understands the importance of ownership aligning with national interests. Aviation is a strategic industry that facilitates trade, mobility, and connectivity for a country's economic development. An airline truly rooted in the nation it represents has a vested interest in supporting local businesses, employment, and communities.

The chatter around Qatar's pursuit of equity stakes in RwandAir and another Southern African carrier underscores the Gulf airlines' aspirations for greater reach across Africa. While their investments could provide capital and access to new markets, there are also legitimate concerns about fair competition and protectionism to consider.

Africa is indeed a tricky continent for aviation, lacking a robust network of legacy international carriers compared to other regions. Outside of Ethiopian Airlines as a major global player, many nations rely substantially on foreign airlines to meet intercontinental travel demands.?

However, the growth of prosperous indigenous airlines like Proflight, working in partnership with like-minded national carriers like AIR TANZANIA COMPANY LIMITED , can strengthen regionalised air connectivity on African terms. Proflight's interline agreement with Air Tanzania, which is wholly owned by the Tanzanian government, provides a strategic foundation for seamless travel powered by shared values and local interests.?

Commercial competitors like Airlink and Global Airways Operations have raised concerns about compliance issues over ownership structures at other carriers like Safair. These types of debates, while sometimes contentious, are healthy - engaging the public and policymakers on the best paths forward for an air transport sector that is truly aligned with Africa's development priorities.

For Proflight, flying Zambia's colours is a core part of its identity and mission. The airline's Zambian ownership means it reinvests into the local economy through domestic jobs, sourcing local goods and services, supporting tourism circuits, and operating as an ambassador for the nation's aviation capabilities. Its licensed Approved Maintenance Organisation based in Lusaka is a prime example, employing 80 professionals to ensure flight reliability using homegrown expertise.

As Africa's skies continue to evolve and globalise, there will always be a vital role for airlines anchored by national ownership, shared prosperity, and an unwavering commitment to uplifting their local communities. For Proflight Zambia, that sense of patriotic purpose is what truly allows it to soar.

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