Proflight and Travelport Hold First Post-COVID Face-to-Face Engagement With Agents

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – Proflight Zambia and digital booking platform Travelport have held their first face-to-face meetings with travel agents in Lusaka and Ndola since the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.

The move heralded the start of a return to a new normal for the travel industry and renewed optimism for future growth of the sector.

“To have survived what I would consider the worst of times shows our determination and sheer will to weather whatever storms are to come. With what travel restrictions had come to, the rise in domestic tourism was the best way forward to grow our revenue. It is also safe to say that we are a much stronger organisation,” said Proflight Sales and Marketing Manager Barbara Namwila.

She noted that COVID-19 had resulted in a major shift in the aviation and tourism industries and thanked the travel agents for their input, urging them to continue engaging with the airline.

“Proflight believes in being adaptable. Change is required by our agents for the betterment of the service to our customers,” she said, adding that the airline recognised the importance of provincial routes, recently doubling flights on its Ndola – Mansa direct route to four times a week from June 13.

The resurgence in investor confidence in Zambia’s economy has also given a boost to the sector, with the resumption of direct passenger flights between Ndola and Johannesburg by Proflight in an addition to the 13 weekly flights from Lusaka to Johannesburg with connections to and from Ndola using the airline’s two 50-seat CRJ jets, she said.

Ms Namwila emphasised the importance of such routes, not only for trade to boost the economy but also to meet the travel demands of their customers.

Proflight was also particularly excited to now have two 50-seat CRJ jets in operation, she added.