Proflight Zambia is celebrating 20 years of scheduled passenger services, a major milestone that highlights its contribution to aviation, connectivity, commerce, and tourism in Zambia and the wider region. Since it first launched scheduled operations in June 2005 with a single 18-seater Jetstream 32 aircraft, the airline has grown into Zambia’s leading carrier. Today, it operates a fleet of 10 aircraft, including five 50-seater Bombardier CRJ-200 jets, a CRJ-100 freighter, and five Jetstream 41 turboprops. Over the past two decades, the airline has flown more than two million passengers, with over 270,000 people carried in 2024 alone.
Chief Pilot Captain Preller Kopolo reflected on the journey, paying tribute to the vision of founder Captain Tony Irwin, who transformed Proflight from a charter company into a scheduled airline that reshaped Zambia’s domestic and regional travel landscape. “What began with three pilots, two cabin crew, and one aircraft has become a proudly Zambian airline connecting communities, industries, and opportunities across the nation,” Capt. Kopolo said.
The airline’s first routes connected Lusaka with Ndola, Livingstone, Mfuwe, and Solwezi, but it has since expanded to serve Kasama, Mansa, Kalumbila, and seasonal safari destinations in the Lower Zambezi. Beyond Zambia’s borders, Proflight operates regional flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Harare, and Lilongwe, strengthening Zambia’s role as a gateway to Southern Africa. These routes have played a vital role in boosting tourism by offering international travellers seamless connections from Lusaka to Zambia’s world-class wildlife destinations such as Mfuwe and Livingstone.
Proflight has also built strong partnerships with major global carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and CemAir, along with 11 interline agreements. These collaborations have given Zambian travellers greater access to the world, while also opening Zambia to more international visitors. Cargo services are another growing segment, with the airline’s dedicated CRJ freighter enhancing the export of agricultural products and supporting local farmers and businesses in reaching global markets.
According to Zambia Airports Corporation Limited, passenger traffic in Zambia has doubled since 2008, reaching a record of more than two million in 2023. Proflight has grown alongside this demand, employing over 300 professionals by June 2025, with 96 percent being Zambians. Women make up 38 percent of the workforce, including three pilots and 12 engineers—figures that stand well above continental averages. The airline also values long-term service and loyalty, with 16 percent of staff having worked at Proflight for over a decade and seven employees still serving since scheduled operations began.
More than just planes and passengers, Proflight has invested heavily in people, training, and skills development. Its culture of inclusivity is visible in traditions such as “Chitenge Fridays,” when staff wear traditional Zambian attire, and through its promotion of local products onboard, including Kasama coffee and Kawambwa tea. The airline proudly carries the “Proudly Zambian” logo, reinforcing its commitment to national identity and local suppliers.
Looking ahead, Proflight plans to expand its fleet with more fuel-efficient regional jets, strengthen its cargo services, enhance digital systems, and extend flights to all 10 provincial capitals. With Lusaka’s strategic location and the airline’s growing partnerships, Zambia is positioning itself as a potential aviation hub for Southern Africa.
As Proflight celebrates two decades of resilience and growth, it remains more than just an airline—it has become a symbol of national progress. “After 20 years, Proflight Zambia is not only an airline but also a symbol of national progress,” said Capt. Kopolo. “As I approach the twilight of my aviation career, my greatest reward is seeing this company flourish and mentoring the next generation of Zambian aviators.”
