Franchise boost for Africa

British Airways has added Zambian Air Services (ZAS) to its fold of franchise partners, the twelfth carrier to operate in British Airways livery and carry the BA flight code.

ZAS will start flying from Johannesburg to N’dola twice a week and from Johannesburg to Lusaka three times a week, with more routes anticipated to be added over time. It will operate Boeing 737-200s on these routes.

ZAS, operating as Zambian Airways, is a joint venture between Comair of South Africa and Roan Air Holdings of Zambia.

David Noyes, Director for Alliances, Franchises and Subsidiaries, said: "We welcome Zambian Air Services to the British Airways’ franchise family. British Airways already has a strong and successful presence in Southern and Central Africa through its franchise partner Comair. The addition of ZAS means we are now developing an even stronger regional presence in Africa.

"This will help provide our customers with a greater choice of connections and a range of product and service benefits, as well as provide British Airways with greater feeder traffic onto its mainline services to and from London."

Mutembo Nchito, Zambian Air Services’ Chairman, said: "This is excellent news for Zambia. We are delighted to be a part of the British Airways family. Its strong brand and global reputation will be a real bonus to Zambian Air Services.

" ZAS’s strong customer focus coupled with British Airway’s extensive network will provide a great opportunity for ZAS to compete internationally. This franchise deal is both a ‘win-win’ for ZAS and British Airways."

The first flight is anticipated to operate in January 2001.