ZAMBIA AVIATION SECTOR IN 3 MILLION EUROS EU FUNDING

At least 3 million Euros has been budgeted by the European Union for improving Zambia’s aviation sector.

This will be in through the Aviation Sector Support project, which is envisaged to improve the sector and consequently make Zambia a regional hub.

And EU Head of delegation in Zambia, Mehdi Mahjoub has observed that the aviation sector’s under-performance is due to failing government political will.

Mr Mahjoub has however stated the EU’s commitment towards offering assistance through the sector project, which runs up to 2014.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s Director of Civil Aviation, Kenneth Sikazwe has attributed the underdevelopment of the aviation sector to financial challenges.

Mr. Sikazwe has also cited the outdated regulatory system for the sector, which in Zambia has lacked operational autonomy as compared to other countries.

Since, 2009, no Zambian airline is allowed to fly into the EU zone due to the 91 findings, which include unsatisfactory safety standards.