Transport and Communications Minister Brian Mushimba says the relaunch of Zambia Airways will now be on January 1, 2019 due to delays in concluding the deal with Ethiopian Airlines.

It was planned that the new Zambia Airways will take to the skies on October 24th this year, on the occasion of Zambia’s 54th independence anniversary.

Mr. Mushimba says the signing of agreements between the Zambian Government and Ethiopian Airlines delayed and hence pushes back the launch date to January 1st 2019.

The Transport Minister says the Zambian Airways will start five domestic routes and two regional routes on January 1st 2019 with three planes.

Meanwhile, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and Ethiopian Airlines have signed a shareholder agreement.

According to the agreement, IDC owns 55 percent of the shares while Ethiopian Airways has 45 percent.
The Airline has an initial startup capital of US$30 million dollars.

IDC Chief Executive officer Mateyo Kaluba said the establishment of the national airline will deepen and strengthen growth in the country’s industrialization.

On the other hand, Ethiopian Airlines Group Executive Officer Tewolde Gebremarian said his firm will work hard to ensure Zambia Airways succeeds.