Proflight expands cargo services
Proflight Zambia has expanded its cargo services by designating some of its fleets to operate dedicated cargo flights. The cargo flight are between Lusaka (Zambia) and Johannesburg (South Africa). The decision comes as a result of people across the globe try to avoid unnecessary air travel due to COVID-19
The dedicated cargo flights are operating every Tuesday and Thursday throughout September. The services will be operated by the Jetstream 41 aircraft and upgraded to the CRJ where demand is high.
Proflight has removed all the seats in the in the aircraft operating the cargo flights and replaced them with cargo nets so cargo is carried meeting industry best practices. Proflight Zambia Director Flight Operations Captain Josias Walubita confirmed the development, adding that he will even be flying some of the flights himself.
“Proflight Zambia has invested in having cargo nets made and effective tie-downs procured to ensure that cargo can be safely secured in the cabin. All seats on the aircrafts have been removed allowing us to carry all types of cargo including live animals, perishables, and so on,” said Capt. Walubita. “At the moment we have scheduled the Jetstream 41 to fly cargo, and we will increase to the CRJ if demand goes up. There are restrictions on sizes of the aircraft in terms of the dimensions of the cabin and baggage hold and we are observing and taking safety precautions as the aircraft are initially passenger aircraft which will be used for cargo,” he added.
Proflight Zambia’s addition of cargo makes it the only Zambian local airline operating cargo flight services. Flying cargo is part of the airline’s attempt to stay afloat as passenger air travel diminished, although the airline hopes it will gradually increase towards the end of the year.
