Aero Zambia was an airline that operated in Zambia, serving as a replacement for the defunct Zambia Airways. The airline began operations in 1996 and quickly became a full member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on April 11 of that year. Aero Zambia employed around 300 staff and operated flights from its base in Lusaka to several destinations, including Johannesburg, Ndola, Nairobi, Harare, and Dar es Salaam.
The airline operated a small fleet, which included five Boeing 737-200s and one Boeing 707. Among the Boeing 737-200s were aircraft 9J-AFU and 9J-AFW, the latter of which was a Combi version that could carry both passengers and cargo.
Despite its early promise and relatively widespread operations, Aero Zambia faced significant challenges. On January 19, 2000, the airline was shut down by the Zambian government due to safety concerns. However, there are suggestions that political tensions between Aero Zambia’s chairman, David Tokoph, and government officials may have also contributed to the closure. The closure brought an end to the airline’s brief but impactful run in the Zambian aviation industry.
