Virgin Atlantic is assessing a London-Lusaka route

Virgin Atlantic Airways (London) is assessing the opportunity of a direct route to the Zambian capital, with founder Sir Richard Branson saying the airline will “consider the possibilities” of launching the route according to The Post in Zambia.

The airline’s owner has also advised the Zambian government to ensure local entrepreneurs are able to invest in the country and thrive.

Two major European carriers, British Airways and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, previously abandoned direct flights to the Zambian capital. Both within the space of a year; rendering the African nation without a direct flight service between Lusaka and a respective European capital.

The government has consistently intimated that a national carrier is in the pipeline, but progress still depends on the final decision the nation’s Cabinet will make.

Addressing a media briefing at Lusaka’s Radisson Blu Hotel on Friday, December 5, Sir Branson said the Virgin Group will look at the feasibility of establishing a direct London-Lusaka route but would first have to assess how viable the Zambian market would be in view of the two recent pull-outs by other carriers.

“It seems a great pity that you [Zambia] don’t have a direct service to the UK. When I leave, I will look at the feasibility. I certainly don’t promise that we could make a success of it, but we will certainly have a look at it and see whether we can make the figures work,” he said.

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Reported by Assistant Editor Oliver Wilcock from Manchester.

Virgin Atlantic aircraft slide show: