PROFLIGHT EXPANDS FLEET WITH A NEW 50-SEAT AIRCRAFT.

Proflight Zambia has expanded its fleet with the purchase of a 50-seat Dash 8-300 turbo aircraft, as part of its continuing drive to build market share in the regional aviation sector.

The Zambian owned and operate airline expects to take delivery of the aircraft in Zambia in the next few months following delivery from Canada, which is the headquarters of the aircraft manufacturer, Bombardier Aerospace.

The purchase means Proflight joins the league of top-tier regional airlines operating the Dash 8, including Ethiopian Airlines, QantasLink, Flybe, SA Express and Cemair in South Africa.

The investment is the latest step in Proflight’s strategy of buying bigger planes that can accommodate more passengers, realising economies of scale and enabling it to operate more efficiently.

It currently operates a 50-seater Bombardier CRJ-100 jet, three 29-seater Jetstream 41 aircraft and two C208 Caravans, all of which are Zambian registered with the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority (ZCAA).

“The new Dash 8-300 aircraft will increase Proflight’s capacity and enable us to expand our network of destinations throughout the southern African market, explained Proflight Director of Flight Operations Capt. Gerald Tembo.

Proflight boosting its fleet with the Dash 8 increases the opportunities for the airline to open more destinations, both domestically and internationally, adding to its three existing regional routes, from Lusaka to Durban, Harare and Lilongwe.

The new aircraft will also free up the productive time of Proflight’s 50-seater CRJ 100 Jet aircraft, which will also allow the airline to look at more new routes domestically and regionally.

A Qantas Dash 8 aircraft similar to that being
introduced by Proflight Zambia. Credit Ryan Fletcher 

Flights to Johannesburg, Gabon, Entebbe and Dar-es-Salaam are all being evaluated by the airline, which celebrates 27 years of operation this year.

The Dash 8 type covers a family of twin turbo prop aircraft, ranging from 37 seats to 78 seats. Proflight’s new Dash 8 is a 50-passenger seat aircraft.

The interior of the Dash 8 is very similar to that of Proflight’s existing 50-seat CRJ 100 jet, which is also used on its Ndola and Livingstone services.

Zambia has a long history of using Canadian aircraft. The airline’s CRJ plane is also manufactured by Bombardier in Canada.