National Aviation Services (NAS) (www.NAS.aero) and NAC2000 Corporation have been awarded a tender to operate an airport lounge in the new terminal at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) in Lusaka, Zambia. The airport is the largest in Zambia and has plans to serve as a hub for the region. Currently, the airport has a capacity of two million passengers per annum, which is expected to increase once commissioned, to between 4.2 to six million over a period of time. The state of the art terminal is scheduled for commissioning around August this year.

Leading international airlines including Proflight Zambia, Air Tanzania, Rwanda Air, SA Airlink, Ethiopian Airlines, Emirates, CemAir and KLM in partnership with Kenya Airways operate out of this airport. The national carrier, Zambia Airways once operational will fly from this airport as well. Other airlines are also expected to open routes into Zambia to tap into this growing market in the coming future.

The tender issued by Zambia Airports Corporation Limited (ZACL), is a part of its effort to upgrade the four international airports in the country. ZACL has committed US$360 million for the ongoing expansion at KKIA.

National Aviation Services (NAS) is a leading airport services provider in emerging markets while NAC2000 Corporation is a key ground services company in Zambia. The five-year tender includes building a 588 square meter exclusive departure lounge that will cater to all passengers travelling out of the airport in Lusaka. The lounge will offer a comfortable space for passengers to relax, enjoy a meal, or catch up on last-minute work before boarding their flight. The new Pearl Lounge will be part of more than 50 lounges operated by NAS across its network in Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.

Hassan El-Houry, Group CEO of NAS said, “We are proud to be trusted by ZACL for the first exclusive lounge at the new terminal in Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka. With the airport being the largest in the country, we will be serving at a hub for both domestic and international passengers travelling out of the country. Utilizing our lounge development and management experience, we look forward to delivering a lounge that will be on par with international standards around the globe.” 

Offering ground handling to over 100 airline customers and operating lounges in more than 50 airports, NAS’s portfolio of services also includes comprehensive ground handling services, meet and assist, cargo management, airport technologies, fixed base operations, terminal management, aviation training and travel solutions. With its affiliation with leading industry organizations, NAS follows international aviation standards with certifications from ISO, EMS, RA3 and OHSAS practices.

One of the first ground handlers in the world to obtain the IATA’s Safety Audit for Ground Operations (ISAGO) certification, NAS continues to pursue it in each of its stations, illustrating the company’s commitment to providing high quality services, with a focus on safety and security. With over 8,000 employees of 65 different nationalities at the core of its worldwide network, NAS is also committed to investing into the development of infrastructure, equipment, technology and human capital of its expanding geographies.

Jonathan Lewis, Managing Director of NAC2000 Corporation highlighted, “We are excited to work with ZACL and proud be the local partner with NAS, global experts in the airport lounge sector, to deliver a world class facility the new KKIA”.

NAC2000 Corporation is the only ISAGO registered and certified ground services provider in Zambia. A Zambian company, it has been in operation for more than 20 years at all the international airports supporting airlines as well as ad hoc operators. The business, focussed on ground handling, warehousing, and cold storage, continues to evolve, becoming an industry leader in the service of support logistics relating to the movement of cargo and passengers.