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Zambia's main airport is the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN), located 14km (9mi) from Lusaka, the country's capital. The airport is the largest in Zambia, serving as a hub for the region, and accounting for 75% of all passenger airport traffic in Zambia in 2022. It serves as a hub for Zambia Airways, Proflight Zambia, Royal Zambian Airlines, and Mahogany Air. The airport opened in 1967 as Lusaka International Airport and was renamed in 2011 to honour Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia's first president.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kenneth Kaunda International Airport |
| Former Name | Lusaka International Airport |
| Location | Chongwe District, off the Great East Road |
| Distance from Lusaka | Approximately 27 kilometres (17 mi) northeast of the city centre |
| Capacity | 6 million |
| Terminals | Two (Terminal One for domestic flights and Terminal Two for international flights) |
| Airlines | Zambia Airways, Proflight Zambia, Royal Zambian Airlines, and Mahogany Air |
| Year Opened | 1967 |
| Year of Renaming | 2011 |
| Year of Expansion | 2015 |
| Cost of Expansion | US$360 million |
| Lender for Expansion | Exim Bank of China |
| Contractor for Expansion | China Jiangxi International |
| New Terminal Opening Year | 2021 |
| Passenger Traffic in 2022 | 75% of all passenger airport traffic in Zambia |
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What You'll Learn
Zambia's main airport is Kenneth Kaunda International Airport
Kenneth Kaunda International Airport is the largest airport in Zambia, with a capacity of 6 million passengers. It serves as a hub for several airlines, including Zambia Airways, Proflight Zambia, Royal Zambian Airlines, and Mahogany Air. The airport has two terminals: Terminal One, which is for domestic flights, and Terminal Two, which opened in August 2021 and handles all international flights.
The airport is easily accessible by various means of transportation. Taxis are the most common form of transport to and from the city, with the ride taking around 15 to 20 minutes to reach the city centre. Car rental services are also available at the airport through companies such as Avis and Europcar. Additionally, many hotels in Lusaka provide shuttle services to and from the airport for their guests. For those seeking a more economical option, a bus line connects the airport to the Chelston bus station, although the buses do not operate on a fixed schedule.
In recent years, the Zambian government has invested significantly in the airport's expansion and improvement. Between 2015 and 2021, a new terminal building, additional check-in and security counters, a presidential terminal, a new air traffic control tower, and a hotel were constructed with funding from the Exim Bank of China. These enhancements have contributed to the airport's growing passenger traffic, surpassing pre-pandemic levels in 2023.
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It is located in the Chongwe District
Zambia's main airport, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN), is located in the Chongwe District. The airport is approximately 27 kilometres (17 miles) northeast of Lusaka, Zambia's capital and largest city. It is about 14 kilometres (9 miles) from the city centre.
The airport is named after Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia's first president. It was previously called Lusaka International Airport until it was renamed in 2011. The airport opened in 1967.
Kenneth Kaunda International Airport is the largest airport in Zambia, with a capacity of 6 million passengers. It serves as a hub for several airlines, including Zambia Airways, Proflight Zambia, Royal Zambian Airlines, and Mahogany Air. The airport has two terminals: Terminal One, which is for domestic flights, and Terminal Two, which handles all international flights.
In 2015, the Zambian government began a three-year expansion and improvement project for the airport, costing US$360 million. The new terminal, Terminal Two, opened in August 2021. This terminal handles all international flights, while domestic flights continue to use Terminal One.
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The airport is 27km from Lusaka, Zambia's capital
Zambia's main airport, Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN), is located 14km (9mi) or approximately 27km (17mi) from Lusaka, the country's capital. The airport is in the Chongwe District, off the Great East Road, and it takes around 15 to 20 minutes to get to the city centre by taxi. The airport serves as a hub for Zambia Airways, Proflight Zambia, Royal Zambian Airlines, and Mahogany Air. It was opened in 1967 as Lusaka International Airport and was renamed in 2011 to honour Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia's first president.
In 2015, the Zambian government began a three-year, $360 million expansion project funded by a loan from the Exim Bank of China. The new terminal, Terminal Two, opened in August 2021, and handles all international flights, while domestic flights use the original Terminal One. The airport has a capacity of 6 million passengers and accounts for 75% of all passenger airport traffic in Zambia.
There are several transport options available to get to and from the airport and Lusaka city centre. Taxis are the most common form of transport, with a ride taking between 15 and 20 minutes. Car rental companies Avis and Europcar also operate at the airport, and many hotels in Lusaka provide shuttle services. Additionally, a bus line connects the airport to the Chelston bus station, although the buses do not run on a regular schedule.
If you are visiting Zambia for a safari, you can fly or drive between reserves from Lusaka. Tour operators often arrange pickup from the airport and organise further transportation as part of safari packages.
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It was renamed in 2011 after the nation's first president
Zambia has a number of small domestic and international airports, with the main travel regions and mining areas being very well served. The largest airport in Zambia, serving as a hub for the region, is the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. The airport is located in Chongwe District, off the Great East Road, approximately 27 kilometres (17 mi) northeast of Lusaka, Zambia's capital and largest city. The airport was opened in 1967 as Lusaka International Airport. It was renamed in 2011 after the nation's first president, Kenneth Kaunda.
In 2011, President Michael Sata also renamed two other airports. Livingstone International Airport was renamed after the late Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, a Northern Rhodesian nationalist leader who played a crucial role in the country's struggle for independence from British colonial rule. Additionally, Ndola Airport was renamed Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in honour of Simon Kapwepwe, Zambia's former vice president.
The decision to rename these airports was met with a mixed response. Some supported the move, arguing that it was a way to honour national heroes and showcase patriotism. However, others criticised it as dictatorial and expressed a desire to have been consulted. The renaming of airports to commemorate significant individuals or events is a common practice worldwide, as exemplified by airports such as JFK International in the United States, Charles de Gaulle in France, and Oliver Tambo in South Africa.
In recent years, the Zambian government has invested in expanding and improving Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. With funds borrowed from the Exim Bank of China, a new terminal, presidential terminal, air traffic control tower, and other facilities were constructed, enhancing the airport's capacity and functionality. These developments showcase the country's commitment to upgrading its infrastructure and accommodating the growing aviation demands of the region.
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The airport has two terminals, one for domestic and one for international flights
Zambia has a number of small domestic and international airports, but the main airport is Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN), located 14km (9 miles) from the capital, Lusaka. The airport, which serves as a hub for Zambia Airways, Proflight Zambia, Royal Zambian Airlines, and Mahogany Air, has two terminals: one for domestic flights and one for international flights.
The airport opened in 1967 as Lusaka International Airport. It was renamed in 2011 to honour Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia's first president. In 2015, the Zambian government began a three-year, $360 million expansion project, funded by a loan from the Exim Bank of China. The expansion included the construction of a new terminal building, additional check-in and security counters, a presidential terminal, a new air traffic control tower, and a hotel. The new terminal, Terminal Two, opened in August 2021 and handles all international flights. The original terminal, Terminal One, is used for domestic flights and has no jet bridges.
Kenneth Kaunda International Airport is the largest airport in Zambia, with a capacity of 6 million passengers. It is located in the Chongwe District, approximately 27 kilometres (17 miles) northeast of Lusaka's city centre. Taxis are the most common form of transport to and from the airport, with a travel time of around 15 to 20 minutes. There are also car rental services available, and many hotels in Lusaka provide shuttle services to and from the airport.
If you are planning a safari in Zambia, particularly if you are visiting Victoria Falls, you may fly into Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport (LVI), located just outside of Livingstone. Local tour operators typically arrange airport pickup and further transportation as part of safari packages.
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Frequently asked questions
The main airport in Zambia is the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, formerly known as the Lusaka International Airport.
The airport is located in the Chongwe District, about 27 kilometres (17 mi) northeast of Lusaka, the capital and largest city of Zambia.
Zambia Airways, Proflight Zambia, Royal Zambian Airlines, and Mahogany Air all use the airport as a hub.
