Proflight links Cape Town and Lusaka with thrice-weekly direct flights
Proflight Zambia launched two direct flights per week between Cape Town, South Africa and Lusaka, Zambia, last year. Following the success of this direct flight path, the airline has now added a third flight per week. We celebrated the launch of these direct flights at a lovely event held at the Taj Hotel in Cape Town last week. It showcased the opportunities this new link will bring for tourism, trade and investment between the two cities, as well as the two countries. We also spoke to the Director of Flight Operations of Proflight Zambia, Josias Walubita, as well as Taj Hotels’ Cluster Manager, Mark Wernich.
Collabs between countries
Wernich says that with Taj Hotels having a property in Lusaka and Proflight flying between Cape Town and Zambia, it only made sense to host the event. In fact, there is a great collaboration between the two tourism companies. Taj Hotels’ Lusaka property is a luxury hotel boasting 192 bedrooms. The 11-acre land currently does the best in the city and has been in Taj Hotels’ stable for over forty years. “Furthermore to our affiliation with Proflight are the luxury trips from Livingstone, Zambia to Cape Town – that leg is always helpful to bring the travellers to Cape Town.”
The three weekly flights – scheduled on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays – represent the only direct connection of a mere 3.5 hours between Lusaka and Cape Town.
Growth is inevitable
Josias Walubita, Director of Flight Operations of Proflight Zambia is convinced that much of the growth the tourism industry is seeing, is due to the increase of travellers after the Covid-19 pandemic. With Lusaka being Zambia’s hub for trade and investment, it’s the place where people travel to for business. In addition, Proflight has connecting flights to places like Livingstone and the Victoria Falls and other major Zambian cities.
According to Walubita the thrice-weekly direct flights between Cape Town and Lusaka is a major milestone. “It provides a seamless option for travellers between the two cities. Going forward, what we would like to see is more buy-in into the route, because with more buy-in, Proflight would be able to provide more seats on the route. This means that ultimately, the company can do well.”
The direct route has only been running for seven months and within these seven months, Proflight has already been able to increase their direct flights between the two cities from two flights per week to three flights per week. “This just goes to show that the route has a lot of potential,” says Walubita. “With the right support and focus, I think it can do really well.”
The perfect package
There is an increased appreciation for what the two countries – South Africa and Zambia – have to offer. “I think now it’s becoming like a package, where one gets to experience the vibrant side of Cape Town, but then also the interesting side of Lusaka,” says Walubita. He is also very excited about the enhanced corporation between the two countries. “I think this will stimulate growth in most areas of the economy and help the two countries perform.”
Mark Wernich says he is convinced that the new direct route between Lusaka and Cape Town will bring the right clients. “Usually, people will fly through from Livingstone, Lusaka or other parts in East Africa. It brings through some of the best markets – the Americans, the Dutch, as well as the German and French markets. This is great news for Cape Town, because it’s a great link; an easy stopover. Proflight is going places,” he says. “They are really on the move and the frequency of flights are there. It’s good to have those collaborations and we will be able to assist them with our luxury travellers going to Zambia.”
Bring the guests!
According to Wernich, Cape Town is unique in Africa and relies solely on tourism. “We’ve seen the city really enhance all its service offerings… We’ve just built capacity to be able to deal with guests. I think Cape Town is definitely more susceptible to doing good business. The government is very good at assisting with the visas; assisting with all types of travellers. Security has also improved and all aspects of hospitality has been looked after. I must say, the city and the province are incredibly efficient. We’re very blessed and we’re able to look after the guests very well,” he says.
Finally, he summarises the link between the two cities perfectly: “The introduction of the Cape Town to Lusaka direct flight path is more than a new route; it’s an invitation to connect two of Southern Africa’s top tourism and business travel destinations and foster growth in East Africa.”
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