National Airports Corporation (NACL) Managing Director, Robinson Misitala has revealed that the European Union’s decision to blacklist Zambian airlines is biting hard.

He has thus appealed to government to expedite implementing of corrective measures to ensure that the ban is lifted as soon as possible.

In an interview, Mr Misitala said the effects of the credit crunch coupled with the blacklisting of Zambian airlines had adversely affected the aviation industry as well as the tourism industry in the country.

He said while as in previous years Zambia had witnessed a 13 per growth in passenger numbers, the opposite was happening this year where the country was recording a minus 22 percent growth.

He noted Zambia had recorded a reduction in over flights while some airlines had either reduced their frequencies or resorted to using smaller aircraft.

This scenario had eroded the revenue base for the corporation and all efforts were now being directed at the possibility of growing non aviation income by turning the four international airports in the country into airport cities.

He said a master plan four the four international airports in Zambia had already been drawn up and an initial report was likely to be ready by July this year.

NACL was also in the process of constructing a new international departure lounge at Livingstone International Airport. The new wing will also have added retail space.