Aero Zambia grounded by government - Brief Article

Airline Industry Information, Jan 24, 2000

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2000 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

The Zambian government finally grounded Aero Zambia on 19 January after refusing in late 1999 to renew the private carrier`s licence due to safety concerns.

Following the announcement, Aero Zambia lodged an appeal in the Supreme Court, the details of which have not been disclosed.

In other news, the government has indicated that the National Airports Corporation would probably never be privatised due to its importance to national security.

The disclosure was made at a conference about the development of a strategic plan for the implementation of the government`s communication, transport and meteorology policies.

Other revelations made at the conference included an admission that poor infrastructure, small passenger loads and a paucity of properly managed tourist destinations had made the Zambian market unattractive, slowing the effects of liberalisation in the aviation industry.

Participants in the conference have now agreed to the formation of an autonomous civil aviation authority to ensure compliance with regulations according to the Post of Zambia.

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