National Airports Corporation Limited (NACL) plans to spend K22.1 billion on various projects to upgrade infrastructure and passenger facilitation at Lusaka, Ndola and Livingstone International Airports says Managing Director, Mr  Robinson Misitala.

National Airports Corporation Limited (NACL) plans to spend K22.1 billion on various projects to upgrade infrastructure and passenger facilitation at Lusaka, Ndola and Livingstone International Airports says Managing Director, Mr  Robinson Misitala.

The Corporation has already spent K2,861,749,888.79 on remodelling of the International departure lounge at Lusaka International Airport, another K728 million to rehabilitate the commercial car park at Ndola international Airport while works at Livingstone International Airport will cost K18,125,032,060.

At Lusaka International Airport, the works which have since been undertaken in the international departure lounge include replacement of wooden parquets with porcelain tiles, construction of duty free shops, air conditioning, purchase of restaurant and bar furniture and purchase of passenger chairs.

Other works include fabrication and erection of a new bar and restaurant, supply and installation of suspended ceiling, purchase of liquid crystal display units (lcds) and interior designing.

At Livingstone International Airport, major works costing K16,590,000,000 will address structural deficiencies which have manifested in the terminal building and congestion in the international departure lounge.

The proposed works at Livingstone International Airport will see the creation of two floors so that check–in formalities, passenger and baggage screening, immigration and customs control will be done on the ground floor.

The upper deck will provide passenger holding lounges, duty free shops, bar and restaurant facilities.

The current concourse will also be widened to accommodate additional commercial activities such as banking and retailing and also increase holding capacity for domestic and international arrivals halls which will be complemented with convenience facilities.

The concourse’s upper deck will also have viewing terraces, offices, restaurant and bar and shops. These works are expected to start by the end of this year. The Corporation will soon invite interested parties or business houses to build and operate the new commercial areas that will become available with this new development.

Meanwhile remodelling of the Air Traffic Control Tower at K1,535,032,062 is near completion at Livingstone International Airport. The tower will be re-equipped with modern equipment at a cost of K400 million.