Turkish Airlines’ decision to permanently remove Lusaka from its future schedule is more than simply the loss of an airline route.
It is a serious warning about Zambia’s economic connectivity and the strength of demand the country is generating in global markets.
The Lusaka-Istanbul service, which operated via Dar es Salaam at up to three frequencies a week, provided Zambia with a link to Istanbul and Turkish Airlines’ wider global network.
Its withdrawal comes at a time when Zambia’s tourism numbers have reportedly fallen 6.6 per cent below estimated targets.
The route covered approximately 6,267 kilometres, connecting Zambia to an important international aviation hub. Its removal therefore means losing a potentially significant channel for investors, tourists, business travellers and international commercial relationships.
This matters because Zambia recorded 2.19 million international tourist arrivals in 2024, representing a 58 per cent increase from 2023. The figures demonstrate the country’s considerable tourism potential, but connectivity must grow alongside demand if that potential is to be fully realised.
For investors, reliable international air connections influence the cost and convenience of travelling to Zambia, visiting projects, meeting business partners and assessing investment opportunities.
For tourism, connectivity determines how easily international visitors can reach Zambia’s attractions and destinations. For business and trade, it influences access to markets, commercial networks and new opportunities.
At the same time, Zambia’s macroeconomic picture is improving. Gross Domestic Product grew by 7.2 per cent in the second quarter of 2026, while inflation declined to 6.2 per cent in August.
The challenge now is to translate that macroeconomic stability into increased investment, tourism, trade, employment and stronger international demand for Zambia.
My policy position is straightforward: Zambia needs a National Air Connectivity Strategy that directly links aviation to investment, tourism and trade.
The country should identify priority international routes, review airport and aviation-related costs, strengthen tourism and conference marketing, develop air-cargo opportunities, encourage greater business travel and consider targeted, performance-based incentives for strategically important routes.
The objective should not simply be to bring Turkish Airlines back to Lusaka.
The bigger objective should be to create an economy in which global airlines see sustained and growing demand for services to Zambia.
Connectivity is therefore not merely about aircraft and airports. It is part of the country’s economic infrastructure. The loss of an international route should consequently be treated not simply as an aviation issue, but as an economic warning that deserves serious attention.
By Kelvin Chisanga