Northern Province to get flights into Mbala ahead of the Northern Tourism and Investments Expo

We are happy to announce that the long awaited Launch of flights into Mbala and Kasama by Mahogany Air will now take place on 6th October 2018 ahead of the Centenary Commemoration of the end of the First World War and Northern Tourism and Investments Expo slated four 20th to 25th November this year. This follows the procurement of a 1900D Beech-craft Aircraft by the Airline from South Africa’s National Airways Corporation.Speaking after inspecting the Aircraft in Johannesburg, Mahogany Air Chief Executive Dr Jim Belemu assured my office that the US manufactured 1900D Beech-craft pressurized Aircraft is ideal for short take offs and will be able to land at most outlying Air strips in the Country.We are extremely delighted because now Mahogany who are the official Carrier for the Centenary Commemoration of the end of the First World War and Investments Expo will be able to fly our delegates to both Kasama and Mbala. It is also expected that the placing of a slightly bigger plane on the Kasama route which is Currently being serviced by a Cesna Propeller will considerably bring down the airfares.Works to construct a 3.6Kilometer runway at Kasama International Airport are expected to finish early next year but we are happy that this particular Aircraft is able to land at the Airport even before the expansion works are completed, resolving one of our major fears in terms of airlifting our potential Investors and Tourists into Kasama.We are grateful to President Edgar Lungu and his Government for having released over 42million Kwacha in the last two months to expedite works at Kasama and Mbala Airports ahead of the Centenary Commemorations and Expo.Northern Province which is part of the rich Northern Tourism Circuit has huge Investments and Tourism opportunities which have failed to take off due to transport and Communication challenges.Apart from the runway expansion works at Kasama, Government is remodeling the Terminal Buildings at Samora Machel Air force Base to commercial use following the Commercialization of the base by President Edgar Chagwa Lungu in 2015.We are told the launch of flights into the Province home to over 12 Waterfalls, the Nsumbu National Park, Kasaba Bay, Ndole Bay and many other natural wonders will reduce travel time for both business and leisure travellers from the current nine to ten hours to slightly over one hour from Lusaka and under one hour from Ndola.Therefore our guests coming for the Expo are now assured of easily getting into the Province to sample some of Zambia’s best Investments opportunities in Agriculture, Tourism, Energy and Port facilities. The 1900D is expected to land in Zambia next Saturday after branding and other formalities are completed.The Aircraft is being branded ’’Destination Mbala’’ as part of a marketing program for the November 20 to 25th event expected to host a number of International dignitaries from at least 20 countries across the world.A representative of Prince Harry, the Duke of York, Government and Military leaders as well as business Executives from Britain, Germany, China, South Africa and many other Countries are expected to descend on the little town of Mbala, formely Abercorn to remember the German surrender 100 years ago.Elias Kamanga Permanent Secretary Northern Province Post Views: 3