Proflight Zambia has acquired three BAE Jetstream 41 29-seat turboprop aircraft from Eastern Airways, expanding its total aircraft fleet to 13. The acquisition increases the airline’s Jetstream 41 fleet from four to seven aircraft.
The additional aircraft allow Proflight Zambia to add more frequency and capacity to its domestic network, supporting the airline’s efforts to improve connectivity, schedule reliability and convenience for passengers. The additional aircraft also create the potential for new domestic and international routes next year. Crucially, the expanded fleet provides greater redundancy, which safeguards schedule reliability and passenger convenience.
“Proflight Zambia welcomes the additional three BAE Jetstream 41 29-seat turboprop aircraft, which have now been flown home to Lusaka by our very own crew,” said Captain Josias Walubita, Proflight Zambia’s Director Government and Industry Affairs.
“The purchase of these aircraft will enable the airline to meet growing local demand and support our commitment to providing safe and reliable connectivity across Zambia, even as the country targets a 20 per cent growth in its domestic tourism in 2026. We are extremely proud of our flight and maintenance crew who successfully ferried the three aircraft from North Lincolnshire, UK to Lusaka, Zambia.”
As the Jetstream 41 is already an established part of Proflight Zambia’s fleet, the airline has the existing operational, maintenance and crew capability to support the additional aircraft, enabling a smooth integration into its current operations.
“Thanks to the dedicated efforts of Proflight Zambia’s maintenance and flight operations teams, and with the necessary regulatory approvals and support from the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority (ZCAA), the aircraft were successfully placed on the Zambian register and issued their 9J registrations before departing the UK. Proflight Zambia appreciates the cooperation of the relevant authorities in Zambia and the UK throughout the process” Added Capt. Walubita.
The three aircraft were ferried from Humberside International Airport in North Lincolnshire, United Kingdom onward to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, Zambia on three-day journeys, with stops at several airports along the route.
The first aircraft, 9J-PCM, completed its ferry flight between August 24 and August 26. It departed Humberside Airport (EGNJ) at 11:45 UK time on Monday, August 24, and arrived in Zambia on Wednesday, August 26. The UK-to-Uganda leg was flown by Captain Nigel Scorgie, First Officer David Jackman and Engineer Jimmy Chinyanta, while the Uganda-to-Zambia leg was flown by Captain Kalenga Kamwendo and First Officer Abraham Gozwa.
The second aircraft, 9J-PCN, completed its ferry flight after departing the UK on Saturday, August 29, arriving in Zambia on Monday, August 31 at 17:30. The flight was crewed by Captain Chanda Katongo, First Officer Ankur Nayee and Engineer Jimmy Chinyanta, following the same route as the first ferry.
The third aircraft, 9J-PCL, subsequently completed its ferry flight, departing the UK on Thursday, September 3, and arriving in Zambia on Saturday, September 5 at 17:30. The crew comprised Captain Nigel Scorgie, First Officer Josh Jackman, and Accompanying Engineer Eric Simukonde.
Proflight Zambia continues to be a key player in the Southern African aviation industry. As both domestic and regional demand for air travel grows, increased frequencies, improved connectivity, direct routings, and efficient and streamlined services are among the key considerations that the airline is working to leverage as Zambia moves to position itself as an aviation hub.
