Spotlight on Proflight’s Outstanding Workforce:
Proflight Zambia’s Female Staff Earn Global Dispatcher Certification
If opportunity doesn’t knock, build the runway yourself.
As Zambia continues to expand its aviation industry and nurture its ambition to become a major aviation transport hub, highly qualified professional staff are crucial for delivering world-class services and achieving that goal. Two determined members of Proflight Zambia’s operations team have seized the moment to advance their careers on a global stage.
“We proudly recognise Senior Flight Operations Officer Sylvia Chanda and Crew Scheduling Officer Piyanna Chani for completing the prestigious FAA Aircraft Dispatcher Certification Course at Jeppesen Academy, a Boeing Company facility in Denver, Colorado,” said Director of Flight Operations, Captain Josias Walubita.
Captain Walubita further lauded the achievement: “It is truly inspiring to see aviation professionals take charge of their growth and invest in their future. Their dedication exemplifies our commitment to nurturing talent, and when our people grow, the airline grows with them.”
This significant achievement is more than a professional milestone—it is a personal mission brought to fruition through self-driven initiative. Both Sylvia and Piyanna took time off work and enrolled independently in the intensive seven-week programme while Proflight Zambia supported their travel arrangements. Their courageous commitment to continuous improvement embodies the airline’s passion for excellence.
The rigorous course covered a broad spectrum of aviation topics essential for safe and efficient operations. Study modules included aerodynamics, aircraft systems, weather theory, flight planning, navigation, air traffic control, weight and balance, and aircraft performance. This comprehensive curriculum reinforced the critical skills needed to excel in today’s dynamic aviation environment.
Returning to Zambia with their newly earned certification, the two professionals have resumed their roles at the Proflight Zambia Operations Centre at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA). Sylvia now applies her enhanced expertise as a Senior Flight Operations Officer, while Piyanna continues her pivotal work as a Crew Scheduling Officer. Their proactive knowledge sharing is already strengthening team operations and furthering the airline’s commitment to robust safety practices.
For Sylvia, whose 13-year journey at Zambia’s leading scheduled airline began in ground operations, the transition into flight operations has been transformative. “Flight operations is at the heart of the airline,” she explains, highlighting how her new qualifications not only reflect her personal growth but also parallel Proflight Zambia’s stringent adherence to global safety standards such as the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) program.
Likewise, Piyanna values the international perspective gained from the training. Reflecting on her experience, she remarked, “The training has made me more up-to-date with industry standards. Although we follow different regulations, the core principles remain the same. Learning about aircraft systems and aerodynamics has enriched our engagement with pilots and deepened our overall operational understanding.” Her insights underscore the universal language of aviation and the benefits of global collaboration.
This remarkable certification is not only a personal success for Sylvia and Piyanna but a triumph for women in Zambian aviation. Their initiative sends a powerful message to young women across the country: with passion and dedication, the sky is not the limit—it is only the beginning.
As Proflight Zambia continues to invest in safety, professional development, and gender inclusivity, the achievements of its staff set a new benchmark for excellence in the country’s aviation industry.
