New lounge opens at Zambia’s Kenneth Kuanda International Airport

National Aviation Services (NAS) and NAC2000 Corporation today launched their Pearl Lounge at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA) in Lusaka, Zambia.

Located in the airport’s new terminal, the lounge is part of Zambia Airports Corporation Limited’s (ZACL) efforts to upgrade international airports in the country.

Last June, ZACL awarded a five-year tender to NAS and NAC2000 to build and operate an exclusive departure lounge catering to passengers travelling out from Lusaka. The 588sqm Pearl Lounge includes comfortable seating, food and beverages, free Wi-Fi access as well as a children’s play area among other facilities.

A number of dignitaries including Frederick Mwalusaka, Zambian Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, Gabriel Lesa, director general of Zambia Civil Aviation Authority and Maggie Banda, acting managing director of ZACL attended the launch event.

Mwalusaka said: “I would like to applaud this joint venture between NAS and NAC2000. This is a good example of local and foreign partnerships that create more quality products and services and employment opportunities in Zambia. It is the hope that such ventures within our new airport are the beginning of a new era for travel from Lusaka.”

All international flights out of Lusaka will fly from the new terminal at KKIA, which opened in August 2021.

Guy Michel Yazbek, NAS’ group director for lounges and meet and assist services, enthused: “We are excited to be working with the ZACL and the Ministry of Transport and Logistics in Zambia.

“The launch of our new Pearl Lounge is significant. Not only because it is located at the largest airport in Zambia but also because we won this tender in the middle of a global pandemic when the aviation industry was on a downturn.

“KKIA airport serves as a hub for domestic and international flights and the new lounge is the perfect space for passengers to relax and unwind or catch up on last minute work before they fly. We would like to take this opportunity to thank ZACL for the confidence and trust invested in the NAS and NAC2000 partnership.”