Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) Director Strategy and Corporate Planning Cosam Ngoma sites the need to make Zambia an aviation regional hub in Central and Southern Africa, as well as the growing passenger and cargo traffic, as the reason for the addition of a new terminal at the airport.
The new Terminal 2 at KKIA was opened in August 2021 in Lusaka and will facilitate international traffic while Terminal 1 will continue to facilitate domestic traffic. The new terminal was constructed at a cost of USD360 million.
The upgrading of the airport facilities was carried out to expand passenger capacity from the current 2 million annual passenger capacity at Terminal 1 to a combined total of 6 million annual passenger capacity at both terminals. With the New Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport commissioned in August 2021, Zambia now has about 10 million annual passenger capacity across a network of four international airports and 10 aerodromes.
Eagle Inspired Architecture
The airlines operating from the new facility will make use of the aerobridges as they board passengers, as well as enjoy transit hotel facilities.
The new Terminal 2 takes after an architectural structure inspired by an eagle – Zambia’s national emblem – developed under phase I of the 550 hectares airports land earmarked for near term development. Other facilities developed as part of this project comprise of an 80 bed capacity a hotel, rescue and fire station, air traffic control tower, presidential pavilion, cargo terminal, a shopping mall and an office complex – bringing facilities in one place to actualise an Aerotropolis City Concept.
The KKIA acts as a gateway to the Central Business District of Lusaka including several tourist attractions: Lusaka National Park, Kafue National Park, Lusaka National Museum, markets, shopping malls, Victoria Falls, and several hotels and lodges.
For connectivity, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport is served by several international airlines including South African Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airlines, Emirates, Airlink and Qatar Airways with varying weekly frequencies. The connections to the tourist resorts can be arranged on arrival privately or through service providers linked to the Zambia Tourism Agency.
An unspoilt gem
Zambia is commonly regarded as one of the most beautiful, peaceful, friendly, diverse and unspoilt countries on the entire African continent. Aside from the majestic Victoria Falls, Zambia has more natural water resources than any other southern African country, including a myriad of other falls dotted across the country, not to mention the famous Zambezi River.
The many National Parks offer great opportunities for observing Africa’s plains’ game and their attendant predators, whilst bustling urban areas offer a taste of eclectic Zambian culture. The heightened COVID -19 vaccination roll out programme by the government continues to build confidence among the travelling public.
www.zambiatourism.com/destinations