Livingstone Airport modernises

PHASE I of a three-phase programme to upgrade Zambia's Livingstone Airport has been completed at a cost of US$800 000, locally funded by the Zambian government.
National Airports Corporation director: airport services, Duncan Lungu, told Travel Now that the airport is now capable of handling larger aircraft such as Boeing 727, 737 and 757s as well as Airbus 320s.
Feasibility studies are also to be undertaken to see if the airport is suitable to be developed as a regional hub for even larger aircraft used by long-haul international airlines.
This first upgrade has consisted of remedial works to the runway and taxiway.
Phase II, to be completed by early March 2001 at an estimated cost of US$1,5m, will consist of renovations to the existing terminal building to create additional capacity expected as a result of the opening of Sun International's new development, The Falls, some 15km from the airport, as well as from normal passenger growth.
Work will include the creation of separate arrivals and departure areas and the creation of a Business Class lounge and VIP facilities.
"The terminal, once completed, will have been turned into a fully-fledged international terminal with a capacity to process over one million passengers a year," said Lungu.
The budget for Phase III, projected to be in the region of some $9m, will be funded by Zambia's co-operating partners including the European Union. The works programme will include further improvements to the runway and expansion of the apron, more improvements to the terminal building as well as the acquisition of aircraft servicing equipment and new rescue and fire service equipment.


(Elizabeth Sheridan)