(Posted 20th September 2026)     Proflight Zambia has now taken delivery of a third Jetstream 41 aircraft, boosting its  fleet to now 13 aircraft. The planes were reportedly acquired from bankrupt UK ...

We returned to our own hotel for one last night.  I was due in Mansa this weekend for more meetings and to start making my map, before I would head back alone on the Proflight (literally the only p…

The acquisition increases the airline’s Jetstream 41 fleet from four to seven aircraft. Proflight says the additional aircraft will allow it to increase frequency and capacity across its domestic network, while providing greater…

(Posted 28th May 2026)     Zambian regional airline Proflight Zambia has temporarily consolidated parts of its regional flight schedule due to significantly higher operational costs, including rising ...

We returned to our own hotel for one last night.  I was due in Mansa this weekend for more meetings and to start making my map, before I would head back alone on the Proflight (literally the only p…

Proflight Zambia, which flies to Namibia has acquired three BAE Jetstream 41 29-seat turboprop aircraft from Eastern Airways, expanding its total aircraft fleet to 13.

Staff Writer Proflight Zambia, which flies to Namibia has acquired three BAE Jetstream 41 29-seat turboprop aircraft from Eastern Airways, expanding its total aircraft fleet to 13.  The acquisition increases the airline’s Jetstream 41 fleet from four to seven aircraft.  The additional aircraft allow Proflight Zambia to add more frequency and capacity to its domestic network, supporting the airline’s efforts to improve connectivity, schedule reliability and convenience for passengers. The additional aircraft also create the potential for new domestic and international routes next year. Crucially, the expanded fleet provides greater redundancy, which safeguards schedule reliability and passenger convenience.  “Proflight Zambia welcomes the additional three BAE Jetstream 41 29-seat turboprop aircraft, which have now been flown home to Lusaka by our very own crew,” said Captain Josias Walubita, Proflight Zambia’s Director Government and Industry Affairs.  “The purchase of these aircraft will enable the airline to meet growing local demand and support our commitment to providing safe and reliable connectivity across Zambia, even as the country targets a 20% growth in its domestic tourism in 2026. We are extremely proud of our flight and maintenance crew who successfully ferried the three aircraft from North Lincolnshire, UK to Lusaka, Zambia.”  As the Jetstream 41 is already an established part of Proflight Zambia’s fleet, the airline has the existing operational, maintenance and crew capability to support the additional aircraft, enabling a smooth integration into its current operations.  “The aircraft were successfully placed on the Zambian register and issued their 9J registrations before departing the UK. Proflight Zambia appreciates the cooperation of the relevant authorities in Zambia and the UK throughout the process” added Capt. Walubita.  Proflight Zambia said it continues to be a key player in the Southern African aviation industry. As both domestic and regional demand for air travel grows, increased frequencies, improved connectivity, direct routings, and efficient and streamlined services are among the key considerations that the airline is working to leverage as Zambia moves to position itself as an aviation hub.  Proflight Zambia, established in 2005 and operating from its base in Lusaka, its domestic routes and international flights include South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, operating between Lusaka and Johannesburg, Lusaka and Cape Town (via Livingstone), Livingstone and Cape Town direct, Lusaka and Windhoek (via Livingstone), Livingstone and Windhoek direct, with seasonal safari routes operating between Lusaka and Maun (via Livingstone) and between Livingstone and Maun. The airline operates five Bombardier CRJ-200 50 seat jets, one Bombardier CRJ-100 parcel freighter jet, and seven BAE Jetstream 41 29 seat turbo prop aircraft.

It almost started in disaster. My Proflight Zambia plane from Cape Town was landing in Livingstone and going on to Lusaka. This I did not realise, and I sat blissfully ignorant in my seat, headphones on, while the flight attendants, and all the other passengers, waited for me to get off – the only person disembarking. They eventually tapped me on the shoulder and turfed me out. Just in time. Bags collected, I was off to the David Livingstone Safari Lodge and Spa, my lodgings on the banks of the Zambezi River. Confession time: the Zambezi, at any point from start to Mana Pools, is one of my favourite places in the world. So I was as happy as a clam when my cruise on the Lady Livingstone set off that afternoon. Nothing like jumping in immediately, almost as you hit the airport. RIVER CRUISE We dawdled along the river towards Mosi-oa-Tunya, as the Victoria Falls are known in the local languages of Leya and Lozi. I sipped on a Mosi, as one must in these parts, and watched elephants, hippos, crocs and plenty of beautiful birds. Later that night, I was struck down with an unwelcome virus and took to my bed for two days. It was not an auspicious start to my month-long wander through the massive Kaza region, the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area, the largest conservation area in the world. It stretches from Angola and Namibia in a wide band all the way through Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It’s a marvellous project that is opening up ancient animal migration routes, boosting conservation through community participation and working to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. THE BOTSWANA LEG My next stop was delayed a day, but eventually I set off for Chobe in Botswana, across the Kazungula Bridge. It has knocked several hours off the journey, and the one-stop border crossing has made it all even easier. Although the bridge was only opened in 2021 to replace the Kazungula ferry, there are several potholes forming already and banks of tar growing ever-larger as the huge, overloaded trucks barrel along in temperatures so high you could fry an egg on the pavement. If you have not been – and you should go – be prepared to walk through the disease control trays or disinfection mats as part of Botswana’s biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, with all the shoes in your bags, before you’re allowed into the country. Vehicles have to drive across a similar mat or dip. They take this seriously. Foot-and-mouth affects cloven-hoofed animals and it can wipe out bovine populations, including buffaloes, which are a virus reservoir. Chobe is one of those bucket-list places if safaris are your thing. And it has been ever since Liz and Dick (Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton) got married in the magistrate’s office at Kasane, the local frontier town, half a century ago. It was the second time they married, and they honeymooned in the national park, putting the month-old Chobe Game Lodge on the world map. It was not my intention to visit Chobe on the legendary lovers’ golden anniversary; indeed, I was entirely ignorant of this historical fact when I made my plans. But it made me happy when I learnt of it. CHOBE SIGHTINGS The animal sightings in Chobe National Park are show-stopping, and I was prepared to be wowed, even if it was green season. For those not in the know, green season is the wet season, when the grass is high and sweet, the trees filled with leaves and buds and water is everywhere. The Zambezi teak are in bloom, their pink-purple flowers strewn across the landscape. Animals can be more difficult to spot, because they don’t need to come to waterholes and they can browse deep in the bush. But – and this is a big one – babies are also being dropped and the bird life is fantastic. I saw a baby hippo trotting after its mom, so newly born it was the size of my small dog. Still wobbly on its legs, all rotund belly and cuteness. Sure-footed little impalas bounced after their mothers while their older brothers practised their fighting skills. The afternoon air rang with the million-strong cicada choir, also looking for mates, and everywhere was the sound of birds. Baby elephants also made my heart sing, just discovering their trunks and not quite sure what to do with them. (Did you know infant elephants suck their trunks like infant humans suck their thumbs?) They mock charge, their little ears flapping madly, and play happily in the mud. Elephants are truly awe-inspiring. The entire herd raises the babies, protecting them and helping the mothers. Babies are precious and adored. We could learn a thing or two from elephants. MESSING ABOUT IN BOATS The Chobe River flows year round from its source in the Angolan Highlands all the way to the Zambezi. And it makes for some fantastic safari adventures. Many lodges have their own river boats, but there are also independent boats you can hop on. A small boat is best for a sunset cruise. It’s peaceful, quiet and gives you the best animal sightings. I went twice, because if you can, you should. Every trip on a safari is different. I’ve seen the Big Five in the first 10 minutes, and no mammals at all in four hours. There are, however, always birds and bugs, two of my favourite things. My first river cruise was washed out by an epic thunderstorm. We were not 15 minutes downriver from our mooring when the sky opened and water sluiced down in sheets. We’d forgotten to pack the rain ponchos (who would remember them on a clear and sunny day?) and there was much frantic covering of cameras with whatever could be found. An elderly English gentleman, unperturbed, sipped on his gin and tonic under the flimsy tarpaulin and toasted the “jolly adventure”. He was a tonic himself. We saw nothing but raced back to the shore, to try again another time. I was back the next day, this time an altogether more successful safari. Crocodiles lolled in the sunshine along the banks, or floated menacingly on the water. We tootled around Sedudu Island, watching the herons, African fish eagles, kingfishers, carmine bee-eaters and African darters drying their feathers on their perches. There are more than 450 bird species on the river. On the river banks, hippos lumbered around. They come out of the water during the day, although they don’t ever wander far and are quick to splash back in if they feel threatened. And elephants. I saw hundreds of elephants: next to the river, in the river, browsing on the trees, grazing on the grasses. All fat and looking happy. BIG CATS In the green season there are also fewer people to clutter up sightings. Even so, at a lion sighting early one morning, my game driver was joined by eight others. I get it; lions are the king of the jungle for good reason. Their low growl hits you with a primal fear. Bone-chilling. Freeze or flee. But still, I felt claustrophobic and a bit cheated. But we’re on a game drive and all is calm and fascinating. I’ve tracked lions on foot in the Waterberg in South Africa and it’s an entirely different affair, as you can imagine.There are also cheetahs and leopards, and smaller cats like caracal, but they are tricky to spot. You can do a Chobe day trip from Livingstone or Victoria Falls, and busloads do. To be clear, buses do not ply the bumpy dirt roads of the national park. Everyone gets off at Kazungula Bridge or at the entrance, and on safari game vehicles. Or you can opt for several days in the area; there are plenty of lodges inside the park’s borders, and even more around Chobe. I stayed at Elephant Valley Lodge in Lesomo Valley and at Jackalberry Chobe on the beautiful river bank. Botswana is a unique place. IYKYK (if you know you know), as the kids say. –DM The writer was hosted by Africa’s Eden and her flights were courtesy of Proflight Zambia. Accommodation was courtesy of the David Livingstone Safari Lodge, Elephant Valley Lodge and Jackalberry Chobe. The post Wild show-stoppers Baby beasts and bird life in breath taking Chobe appeared first on The Namibian.

Información e historia de Proflight Zambia: visión general, datos clave y misiónProflight Zambia es una aerolínea regional de Zambia con base en Lusaka, centrada en ofrecer conectividad aérea dentro del país y hacia destinos regionales. Su actividad combina vuelos regulares y servicios chárter, con especial atención a conectar centros urbanos, destinos turísticos y polos de

(Posted 05th September 2026)   Proflight Zambia’s second BAE Jetstream 41 has landed in Lusaka, flown home by our very own crew. She followed the same route home as her sister aircraft, 9J PCM, tracin...

(Posted 29th August 2026)     Proflight Zambia welcomed an additional Jetstream 41 flown home to Lusaka by their very own crew. The three day ferry flight began in Humberside, United Kingdom and cover...

Interested in Commercial Aviation/Business Aviation? Unlock exclusive news such as “Proflight Zambia to buy three ex-Eastern Airways Jetstreams” today!

Staff Writer Sitting in the captain’s seat of a Bombardier CRJ-200 for the first time, Captain Carrington Kaoma reflects on a journey that began with a childhood dream of driving a city bus. Today, as captain of a 50-seat regional jet at Proflight Zambia, he embodies years of perseverance, family sacrifice, and determination. His rise to the left seat was far from easy. It took 15 years, more than 6 000 flight hours across four countries, and countless challenges. In an industry where few aspiring pilots ultimately command commercial aircraft, Kaoma’s achievement demonstrates that dedication can turn ambitious dreams into reality. Growing up in Lusaka, Kaoma had no family background in aviation. His parents raised him in Zambia, where he attended local schools before completing his secondary education. His fascination with aviation began through television, online videos, and admiration for pilots’ uniforms and professionalism. “I think my mother wasn’t impressed with me driving a bus, so she put some wings on it, and now I’m an airline pilot,” Kaoma jokes. After completing his IGCSE examinations, a chance meeting between his father and a flight school contact in Eswatini changed his future. At just 17 years old, Kaoma moved alone to Johannesburg in 2009 to begin flight training. The financial burden was immense, and there were moments when continuing seemed impossible. “It’s a high sacrifice, high reward type of industry,” he says. He credits his parents for believing in him, recalling their encouragement: “Let’s finish what we started.” Their support, alongside mentors and friends, helped him overcome the demanding years of training. After qualifying, Kaoma became a flight instructor at his former academy before returning to Zambia to join a charter company. Over seven years he flew Cessna Grand Caravans into remote airstrips, mines, and isolated communities while also mentoring younger pilots. Among his favourite destinations was Nkamba Bay on Lake Tanganyika. The COVID-19 pandemic altered his career path. He later joined a South African operator conducting humanitarian flights into West Africa before flying in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, supporting airline operations and serving the oil and gas sector. The experience strengthened his adaptability and broadened his operational expertise. In 2024, Kaoma joined Proflight Zambia, a move he describes as a homecoming. “I knew that I was going to work for them one day. It’s good to be part of the growth that’s currently going on.” He has witnessed the airline’s rapid fleet expansion.

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