Aviation sector gets 1.8m euros boost

THE European Union has given the Zambia aviation industry 1.8 million euros to support the development of a reliable and effective aviation sector in Zambia.

Head of Co-operation at the European delegation to Zambia, Gianluca Azzoni said the objective of the funding is to help Zambia’s civil aviation authority and stakeholders improve their compliance with international civil aviation standards.

Speaking during the commemoration of the International Civil Aviation Authority, Mr. Azzoni said to achieve the projects objective they will implement targeted initiatives in the areas of capacity enhancements.

“The EU is a long standing partner to Zambia in the civil aviation sector. We are particularly pleased at the cooperation established with the European Aviation Safety Agency to assist Zambia to consolidate and further enhance the good progress already made in improving compliance with international aviation standards,” Mr. Azzoni said.

Mr. Azzoni said the key is to develop a reliable and effective aviation sector able to support economic development in Zambia.

And the head of international cooperation at the European Air Safety Agency (EASA), Frank Steffens, said they recognised that the global player position in the aviation industry is determined by the support the sector received from the government.

Mr. Steffens commended the government and stakeholders for making the Zambia aviation sector more viable and growing it to effectively contribute to the economy.