A conference dedicated to air route development
AviaDev Africa has confirmed that Zambia will host its 2027 edition, with Zambia Airports Corporation Limited* (ZACL) as official host partner. The conference brings together airlines, airports, tourism authorities, government representatives and industry service providers to focus on route development, air service negotiation and connectivity strategy.
Following Windhoek in 2024, Zanzibar in 2025 and Botswana in 2026, the choice of Zambia confirms the country’s growing standing among Southern Africa’s most dynamic aviation markets.
Airlift Zambia, a programme to close the connectivity gap
Zambia’s bid is underpinned by the launch of Airlift Zambia, an air access programme designed to close connectivity gaps, attract new international carriers and open direct long-haul routes to Europe, the Gulf, Asia and North America.
ZACL reports early results, with the arrival of Qatar Airways, Uganda Airlines, Fastjet Zimbabwe and, most recently, Eswatini Air. Proflight Zambia, meanwhile, has strengthened its regional network with new services linking Lusaka and Livingstone to Windhoek, Namibia, and Gaborone, Botswana, opening up new tourism and trade corridors across Southern Africa.
ZACL operates four international airports – Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka; Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula in Livingstone, the gateway to Victoria Falls; Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe in Ndola; and Mfuwe – alongside a network of provincial aerodromes. The programme will draw on all four gateways to support decentralised tourism growth, with Livingstone and Mfuwe positioned as key access points for wildlife and adventure tourism.
International arrivals doubled in three years
International arrivals rose from around 1.1 million in 2022 to 2.3 million in 2025, more than doubling in three years. The government is now targeting between 2.5 and 3 million international arrivals in 2026, with the longer-term goal of building a tourism industry worth USD 1 billion (around €870 million) by 2031.
To support this trajectory, Zambia has committed K1.5 billion (around USD 55 million, or nearly €48 million) to tourism in 2026. The funds will finance infrastructure, wildlife conservation, destination marketing and the opening up of remote tourism sites.
Tourism already accounts for 7% of national GDP and employs 473,000 people, a figure that could reach 613,000 by 2034 if growth targets are met. Target source markets are Germany, the United Kingdom, North America, South Africa, India, China and the Gulf states.
Bringing airlines and buyers together on the ground
For ZACL, hosting AviaDev Africa 2027 should accelerate route development by bringing international airlines and tourism buyers face to face with Zambia’s product in-country.
Urvesh Desai, Managing Director of ZACL, says: “Zambia is at a crucial moment in its aviation story. We have the infrastructure, the ambition and the government support; what we need now is the world’s airlines to see for themselves why Zambia deserves a place on their network maps. Around Southern Africa, we are less than two hours’ flight from most of our neighbours, making linkages easy.”
He adds: “Every new route we secure is a lifeline for our tourism sector, a boost for Zambia’s exporters and a statement of confidence in this country’s future. We are proud to welcome the AviaDev community to Zambia and we intend to make 2027 a landmark edition of the conference.”
A nature destination with low visitor density
With Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, as well as South Luangwa, Kafue and Lower Zambezi National Parks, Zambia is positioning itself as a premium wilderness destination, characterised by relatively low visitor density and a conservation-led tourism offer.
The Open Skies policy and the progressive removal of visa requirements for selected nationalities have already supported this growth. Macroeconomic reforms, political stability and the country’s growing reputation among high-yield adventure and eco-tourism travellers are strengthening its appeal for airline investment.
Jon Howell, CEO and Founder of AviaDev Africa, believes that “the growth in visitor numbers has been extraordinary, and yet the country is still dramatically under-connected by air, relative to its potential. That gap is an opportunity, and it is precisely the kind of opportunity our delegates are here to unlock.”
Our view | A direct stake for the hotel pipeline
Improved air access is a prerequisite for the hotel projects under way in the country. In Lusaka, the 211-room Hilton Lusaka Pyramid, with more than 4,000 sq m of MICE space, is due to open in 2027, the very year of the conference.
International groups are also watching the lodge and safari segment, as shown by Radisson Hotel Group, which is exploring opportunities in Zambia, Namibia and Botswana. The continent’s conference calendar is filling out in parallel, from FHS Africa, dedicated to hotel investment, to AviaDev Africa for air connectivity.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Zambia to host AviaDev Africa 2027 as it launches Airlift Zambia
ZACL named official host partner; previous editions: Windhoek (2024), Zanzibar (2025), Botswana (2026)
Airlift Zambia targets new long-haul links to Europe, the Gulf, Asia and North America
International arrivals up from 1.1m (2022) to 2.3m (2025); 2026 target of 2.5-3m
K1.5bn (c. USD 55m) committed to tourism in 2026; goal of a USD 1bn tourism industry by 2031
Tourism: 7% of GDP, 473,000 jobs, forecast 613,000 by 2034
