Proflight Zambia (P0, Lusaka) has suspended the deployment of a larger aircraft on the Lusaka-Kasama route pending the completion of upgrades to the gravel runway at Kasama airport.
In a statement, Proflight Zambia Director of Government and Industry Affairs Philip Lemba said the deployment of a 29-seater Jetstream 41 aircraft did not take place on January 1 as planned because it cannot land or take off from the gravel landing strip.
“We apologise for the inconvenience caused to customers who had already booked their flights, and were wishing to book flights on the route. All passengers holding tickets for these flights will receive a full refund,” Lemba said.
Work on tarring the runway at Kasama airport was expected to be completed in November 2018 but the deadline passed amid indications that it could take up to March.
The Jetstream 41 will replace a 12-seater Cessna 208 Caravan which has serviced the Kasama route for the past six years. Flights from Ndola International to Kasama have also been put on hold until April.
Proflight services nine domestic routes and flies to three regional destinations, Durban King Shaka, Harare International, and Lilongwe. Its fleet includes one 50-seater CRJ100, one 50-seat Dash 8-300, three 29-seater Jetstream 41s, and two Cessna (single turboprop) 208 Caravans.
