Airline overview
Zambia Airways is the national airline of the Republic of Zambia, incorporated as Zambia Airways (2014) Limited. Its IATA code is ZN and its ICAO code AZB. It is headquartered in the capital Lusaka and operates from Lusaka Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN) as its hub. The website is zambia-airways.com.
Zambia Airways was established in 2014 under a shareholder agreement signed by the Zambian government, through the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), and Ethiopian Airlines Group, with the Republic of Zambia holding 55 percent and Ethiopian Airlines 45 percent. On 1 December 2021 it resumed operations with a first flight from Lusaka to Ndola, becoming Zambia's flag carrier, with fleet and operational support provided by Ethiopian Airlines through wet lease and technical cooperation.
According to the airline, it flies Lusaka to Johannesburg (7 a week) and Dar es Salaam (4 a week) plus regional routes to Harare and Nairobi, with domestic service covering Ndola, Livingstone, Solwezi and Lusaka (21 a week). The network is centred on Lusaka and connects the main markets of southern and eastern Africa.
For Chinese shippers the value of Zambia Airways lies in the Lusaka hub and its connections to domestic Zambia and the southern African regional network. China and Zambia have a bilateral air services agreement, but no public information shows Zambia Airways operating a direct route to China. Chinese cargo normally connects through the Ethiopian Airlines Addis Ababa hub or Johannesburg into the Zambia Airways Lusaka network, completing the air path from China to Zambia.
On trade fundamentals, China is an important trading and investment partner for Zambia, with cooperation covering copper mining, infrastructure and agricultural development. Zambia is one of the world's significant copper producers and the Copperbelt hosts many mining projects where Chinese companies keep investing in equipment, materials and spares. Zambian import demand for electromechanical products, communications equipment, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods is steady. Air freight on the China-Zambia lane is mainly high-value, time-sensitive industrial equipment and consumer goods, and connecting through Addis Ababa or Johannesburg into Lusaka is the practical routing today.
Company history
Global fleet composition
The Zambia Airways fleet is mainly Ethiopian Airlines capacity on wet lease, with Ethiopian Airlines providing aircraft, crew and maintenance and Zambia Airways running the routes and sales. Cargo travels in passenger bellies.
| Aircraft type | Capacity role | Freight characteristics | Suitable China cargo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boeing 787-8 | Long-haul widebody | Wet-leased from Ethiopian Airlines and flown on international sectors such as Lusaka to Addis Ababa; the belly takes ULDs and provides long-haul belly space | Consolidated belly cargo from China to Lusaka and back through Addis Ababa |
| Boeing 737-800 | Regional passenger aircraft | Flown on regional routes from Lusaka to Johannesburg, Harare and Nairobi; the belly suits loose and small to medium consignments | Loose cargo and express shipments from China to Zambia through Johannesburg |
| Dash 8-400 | Domestic and short regional type | Flown on domestic routes from Lusaka to Ndola, Livingstone and Solwezi; belly space is limited and suits small consignments | Small connecting shipments between Zambian domestic points |
Public information shows Zambia Airways aiming to operate four Dash 8-400 and two 737-800 by 2027, a fleet weighted towards regional and domestic capacity, with long-haul widebody support obtained through cooperation with Ethiopian Airlines. Fleet numbers and schedules follow the carrier's latest publication.
Wet leasing is the airline's main way of obtaining capacity: Ethiopian Airlines provides aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance, and Zambia Airways handles route applications, sales and ground services. The arrangement gives a start-up carrier a mature fleet operation on low capital, and connects to international belly capacity through Ethiopian Airlines' global network.
Business model
Zambia Airways works mainly on belly capacity in passenger aircraft, combined with transit at the Lusaka hub and the global network of its partner Ethiopian Airlines, serving cargo between China and Zambia. Shippers and forwarders can choose the routing by volume and destination.
Belly cargo on passenger aircraft
The belly holds of the 787-8, 737-800 and Dash 8-400 offer loose and ULD space on scheduled services from Lusaka to regional and international points.
Regional network connections
Routes from Lusaka to Johannesburg, Harare, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam connect the main southern and eastern African markets for regional distribution.
Addis Ababa connection
Through cooperation with Ethiopian Airlines, Chinese cargo can connect at the Addis Ababa hub to Lusaka, using the Ethiopian network that covers China.
Domestic distribution
Domestic routes from Lusaka to Ndola, Livingstone and Solwezi cover the Copperbelt, tourism and farming regions and provide domestic distribution for imported cargo.
Chinese points and routings into Zambia
No public information shows Zambia Airways operating a direct route to China. According to the cooperation service centre of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, no scheduled direct route between China and Zambia has been opened in recent years. Chinese cargo normally connects to the Zambia Airways Lusaka network through the following transit points.
Beijing / Shanghai / Guangzhou / Shenzhen
Chinese points served by Ethiopian Airlines, with cargo connecting at the Addis Ababa hub (ADD) to Lusaka (LUN) on a smooth connection.
Johannesburg (JNB)
The southern African gateway: cargo reaches Johannesburg through Hong Kong or a Middle Eastern hub and connects to the Zambia Airways Lusaka to Johannesburg service (7 a week).
Addis Ababa (ADD)
Ethiopian Airlines' global hub, where Zambia Airways 787 capacity flies towards Addis Ababa and Lusaka, giving Chinese cargo a single connection into Zambia.
Harare / Nairobi / Dar es Salaam
Zambia Airways regional points that can serve as alternative transit points for southern and eastern Africa, connecting to Lusaka and the domestic network.
On demand structure, Chinese cargo to Zambia is mainly industrial equipment, electronics and communications, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods, usually in small to medium batches that suit passenger bellies, while Zambian exports to China are mainly high-value agricultural products and manufactured goods. Among the transit options, the Addis Ababa connection has the higher frequency and suits time-sensitive cargo, while the Johannesburg connection suits cargo consolidated with other southern African destinations.
China to Zambia and onward worldwide
Zambia Airways connects Zambia with southern and eastern African markets through its Lusaka hub, and Chinese cargo joins the network at a transit hub. The main cargo directions follow.
Once Chinese cargo reaches Addis Ababa or Johannesburg it can connect to Zambia Airways services to Lusaka; from Lusaka the domestic network distributes to Ndola in the Copperbelt, the tourist city of Livingstone and the farming region around Solwezi. Zambian high-value exports can likewise connect at Lusaka to Addis Ababa or Johannesburg for China and other markets.
Cargo types suited to China exports
Given the structure of Chinese exports to Zambia and the demand characteristics of the Zambian market, the following commodities suit carriage through a connection into the Zambia Airways network.
Electromechanical equipment and project parts
Mining equipment, construction machinery and components; Zambian mining and infrastructure demand is strong and the cargo suits belly loose and ULD shipments.
Electronics and communications equipment
Mobile phones, communications equipment and accessories; demand for electronics is growing in Zambia and belly carriage protects transit time and security.
Pharmaceuticals and medical supplies
Pharmaceuticals, medical devices and medical consumables; demand continues as Zambia builds its health system, and the cargo suits time-sensitive belly carriage.
Textiles, apparel and consumer goods
Apparel, footwear and general merchandise, connecting through Addis Ababa or Johannesburg and distributed on the Zambia Airways domestic network.
Farm equipment and agricultural inputs
Farm machinery, irrigation equipment and inputs; Zambian agriculture is dominated by maize and other crops, and import demand for inputs is steady.
High-value Zambian exports
Cut flowers, fruit, coffee and tobacco and other high-value agricultural products, plus high-value industrial goods from the Copperbelt, can connect at Lusaka for air export.
Core freight capabilities
Around the Lusaka hub and regional network, Zambia Airways offers capability at the following points, covering arrival, transit and domestic distribution.
Lusaka hub operations
Lusaka Kenneth Kaunda International Airport is Zambia's main international gateway, equipped for international cargo ground handling and supporting build-up and loading of import and export cargo.
Regional network
Johannesburg, Harare, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam cover southern and eastern Africa and provide the flight base for regional distribution and transit.
Domestic distribution network
Domestic points including Ndola, Livingstone and Solwezi cover the Copperbelt and the main regions, so imported cargo can transit at Lusaka and be distributed to the destination city.
Partner network
Ethiopian Airlines, as strategic partner, provides connections at the Addis Ababa global hub linking China, Europe, the Middle East and African markets.
Wet-lease support
Aircraft, crew and maintenance are provided by Ethiopian Airlines under the wet-lease agreement, so fleet reliability rests on a mature airline system.
Booking path from China
Chinese shippers sending cargo to Zambia can complete booking and transport arrangements through the following path.
Requirement confirmation
Confirm commodity type, total weight, total volume, packaging and final destination, and whether dangerous goods, temperature control or transhipment are involved.
Routing and capacity enquiries
Confirm the Addis Ababa or Johannesburg routing for the destination and check rates and space on the connecting flights.
Booking and handover
Book through us with the carrier, deliver cargo to the nominated gateway warehouse, complete export declaration and loading, and connect to Lusaka as planned.
Transport and tracking
Track the flights throughout; on arrival at Lusaka the cargo connects to clearance and domestic distribution, or continues to other Zambian cities.
Booking options from China to Zambia
Departures from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen connect through Addis Ababa or Johannesburg to Lusaka and onward to the Zambia Airways regional and domestic network covering the Copperbelt and the main cities. Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited provides booking, consolidation and declaration and transit coordination.
Visit the Goodhope Freight website (goodhope86.com)Network: from China to Zambia
The diagram shows Chinese export cargo leaving Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, connecting through Addis Ababa or Johannesburg, and joining the Zambia Airways Lusaka network and domestic Zambian points.
Decision guide for Chinese shippers
There are many ways to move Chinese exports to Zambia and onward across southern Africa, and the Zambia Airways network has clear value in the following cases.
China-Zambia trade
China and Zambia are closely linked commercially, and Zambian copper mining, infrastructure and agriculture generate continuing Chinese demand for equipment, materials and consumer goods; air freight is the choice for time-sensitive cargo.
Routing through Addis Ababa
The Ethiopian Airlines Addis Ababa hub links several Chinese cities with Zambia, and Zambia Airways 787 capacity connects towards Lusaka, so one connection is enough.
Regional distribution in southern Africa
Zambia Airways links Johannesburg, Harare, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, so cargo reaching Lusaka can transfer flexibly between southern and eastern African markets.
Domestic coverage
Ndola covers the Copperbelt, Livingstone the tourism region and Solwezi mining and farming, so imported cargo can be distributed quickly across Zambia.
Capacity advice for Chinese shippers
Shippers sending cargo to Lusaka and central Zambia can give priority to the Addis Ababa routing, which has more connecting flights and a stable total transit time; cargo for the Copperbelt can connect at Lusaka to a domestic flight to Ndola and cut road time. Small, highly time-sensitive shipments suit loose space in 787 and 737 bellies, while larger consignments with more time can be assessed on the total rate and transit time of the connection.
What we do on the Zambia lane
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited operates air freight from China to Africa. For capacity into Zambia we provide services that Chinese shippers can use directly at the following points.
Routing design and booking
We design the connection through Addis Ababa or Johannesburg to Lusaka, check rates and space and complete the booking.
Cargo consolidation at China ports and customs declaration
Shippers can deliver at gateways including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen; we handle consolidation, export declaration and space handover and organise departure to the flight schedule.
Transit and domestic connection at Lusaka
We arrange transit at Lusaka and the connection to domestic flights, coordinating the onward sector so cargo reaches Ndola, Livingstone and other destinations as planned.
End-to-end tracking and arrival service
We track the air waybill from departure in China, assist with clearance and distribution at Lusaka, and cover the whole chain from booking to delivery.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Does Zambia Airways fly direct to China?
No public information shows a direct route to China; according to published sources there is no scheduled direct service between China and Zambia.
What are the IATA and ICAO codes?
IATA code ZN, ICAO code AZB. The website is zambia-airways.com.
What aircraft does Zambia Airways operate?
Boeing 787-8, 737-800 and Dash 8-400 capacity on wet lease, with plans to operate four Dash 8-400 and two 737-800 by 2027.
How does Chinese cargo reach Zambia?
Normally through the Ethiopian Airlines Addis Ababa hub or Johannesburg to Lusaka, then on to the Zambia Airways regional and domestic network.
Where does Zambia Airways fly?
According to the airline it flies Lusaka to Johannesburg, Harare, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, and domestic routes to Ndola, Livingstone and Solwezi.
Which Chinese exports suit the Zambian market?
Electromechanical equipment, electronics and communications, pharmaceuticals and medical goods, textiles and consumer goods, farm equipment and inputs, all suited to belly carriage through a connection into the Zambia Airways network.
How do I book cargo to Zambia?
Through us: we design the connection, book the space and handle consolidation, export declaration, transit and arrival tracking at Lusaka.
What is the relationship between Zambia Airways and Ethiopian Airlines?
Ethiopian Airlines is Zambia Airways' strategic partner, holds 45 percent and provides aircraft, crew and maintenance support through wet lease.
Disclaimer
Information provided is for reference only and does not constitute a transport contract or commercial commitment. Zambia Airways' routes and schedules, fleet configuration and cargo capacity may change with commercial decisions without notice; flight times are local and actual schedules and rates are subject to confirmation by the carrier or the relevant authority on the day of booking.
Contact details
For details of air freight services from China to Zambia and worldwide, or for booking assistance to Zambia, contact:
Goodhope Logistics (China) Limited (Goodhope Freight)
Official website: goodhope86.com
Trademark notice
Zambia Airways, ZN, AZB and related marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Zambia Airways or its affiliates. They are named here for identification and explanation only and imply no agency, partnership or affiliation between the company publishing this information and Zambia Airways. Other airline names and trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.