China Jiangxi Corporation Zambia Limited, responsible for expanding Lusaka Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA), announced that works will start in May 2015.
The expansion of Lusaka KKIA airport is a USD 385 million project, of which USD 25 million has been released by the Zambian government and USD 72 million has been released by Exim Bank of China.
Next month’s works includes the construction of the Presidential Terminal Building and the Fire Station while construction of the Control Tower and Main Terminal will begin in June.
According to the China Jiangxi Corporation Zambia Managing Director Mr. Hu Zhiliang, the project is currently employing about 200 people but the full project will need about 3,000 employees. The project currently also involves Zambian construction companies and engineers.
Opened in 1967, KKIA Airport is the main gate way to Zambia and services bothdomestic, regional and international flights.
According to Zambia Airports Corporation Limited, due to its central location, KKIA is an ideal airport in the SADC region.
Zambia Airports Corporation Limited also indicated that the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport recorded 1,080,836 passengers at the end of December 2014, representing a 2% growth rate from 1,064,950 passengers in 2013.