List of Airports in Zambia
As of 2024, there are 21 airports throughout the country of Zambia according to IATA and ICAO. Through the table below, you can find name of each airport, its abbreviation, city location, and size. Airports in Zambia are listed in alphabetical order. Please note that some airports serve internationally, while the other only serve domestically.
List of All Airports in Zambia
| # | Airport | Abbreviation | Location | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chingola Airport | CGJ | Chingola | Small |
| 2 | Chipata Airport | CIP | Chipata | Small |
| 3 | Kalabo Airport | KLB | Kalabo | Small |
| 4 | Kaoma Airport | KMZ | Kaoma | Small |
| 5 | Kasaba Bay Airport | ZKB | Kasaba Bay | Small |
| 6 | Kasama Airport | KAA | Kasama | Small |
| 7 | Kasompe Airport | ZKP | Kasompe | Small |
| 8 | Livingstone Airport | LVI | Livingstone | Medium |
| 9 | Lukulu Airport | LXU | Lukulu | Small |
| 10 | Lusaka Airport | LUN | Lusaka | Medium |
| 11 | Mansa Airport | MNS | Mansa | Small |
| 12 | Mbala Airport | MMQ | Mbala | Small |
| 13 | Mfuwe Airport | MFU | Mfuwe | Small |
| 14 | Mongu Airport | MNR | Mongu | Small |
| 15 | Ndola Airport | NLA | Ndola | Small |
| 16 | Ngoma Airport | ZGM | Ngoma | Small |
| 17 | Senanga Airport | SXG | Senanga | Small |
| 18 | Sesheke Airport | SJQ | Sesheke | Small |
| 19 | Solwezi Airport | SLI | Solwezi | Small |
| 20 | Southdowns Airport | KIW | Kitwe | Small |
| 21 | Zambezi Airport | BBZ | Zambezi | Small |
Major Airports in Zambia
1. Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (LUN)
Airport Code: LUN
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT)
Address: Lusaka, Zambia
Nearby Cities:
- Lusaka (0 miles)
- Kafue (19 miles)
- Kabwe (120 miles)
- Chingola (200 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Ethiopian Airlines
- Qatar Airways
- Kenya Airways
- South African Airways
- Emirates
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 1.5 million passengers
Airport Location and History
Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, located in Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, is the busiest airport in the country. The airport was originally opened in 1967 and was named after Zambia’s first president, Kenneth Kaunda. It has since become a key gateway for both domestic and international flights, facilitating Zambia’s tourism, business, and trade industries. Over the years, the airport has undergone multiple renovations and expansions to accommodate increasing passenger numbers and improve its infrastructure.
As Zambia’s economic and political center, Lusaka is home to a wide range of industries, and the airport plays a vital role in supporting regional and international trade. Kenneth Kaunda International Airport is the main point of entry for visitors to Zambia, offering convenient access to Zambia’s national parks, wildlife reserves, and natural attractions such as Victoria Falls. The airport is integral to Zambia’s growing tourism sector and serves as a connection point for travelers to other African countries and beyond.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Kenneth Kaunda International Airport has one main runway:
- Runway 1: 3,600 meters (11,811 feet), capable of handling large aircraft, including wide-body jets.
The airport has a modern terminal with services such as lounges, duty-free shopping, restaurants, baggage handling, and car rental facilities. The runway can accommodate large aircraft, including wide-body jets, and supports long-haul flights to destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The airport continues to undergo development to meet the increasing demand for air travel and improve the overall passenger experience.
2. Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (NLA)
Airport Code: NLA
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT)
Address: Ndola, Zambia
Nearby Cities:
- Ndola (0 miles)
- Kitwe (27 miles)
- Lusaka (170 miles)
- Chingola (90 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Proflight Zambia
- Ethiopian Airlines
- Kenya Airways
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 300,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport, located in Ndola, is Zambia’s second-largest airport and serves the Copperbelt region, which is the country’s primary mining area. Originally known as Ndola Airport, the airport was renamed in honor of Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, a prominent Zambian politician. The airport was first built in the 1930s and has undergone various upgrades, with the most recent expansion completed in 2017 to handle growing passenger and cargo traffic.
The airport serves as a vital link for the region’s mining and industrial sectors, supporting the transportation of goods and workers to and from the Copperbelt. It also plays a key role in supporting tourism in Zambia’s northern and central regions, with connections to major cities in Southern Africa and beyond. With its improved infrastructure, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport has become a key hub for business and leisure travel in Zambia.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport has one main runway:
- Runway 1: 3,200 meters (10,499 feet), capable of handling large aircraft, including narrow-body jets.
The airport’s facilities include a terminal with check-in counters, baggage claim, a small shopping area, lounges, and restaurants. The runway is suitable for medium to large aircraft, but the airport is primarily focused on regional flights, as it does not handle long-haul international traffic. With ongoing improvements to its terminal and services, the airport is well-equipped to handle the growing volume of passengers and cargo traffic, especially in the context of the region’s expanding industrial sector.
3. Livingstone Airport (LVI)
Airport Code: LVI
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT)
Address: Livingstone, Zambia
Nearby Cities:
- Livingstone (0 miles)
- Victoria Falls (10 miles, Zimbabwe)
- Zambezi River (5 miles)
- Lusaka (300 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Proflight Zambia
- South African Airways
- British Airways (seasonal)
- Air Zimbabwe (seasonal)
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 200,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Livingstone Airport is located in the tourist town of Livingstone, near Zambia’s border with Zimbabwe and within close proximity to the world-renowned Victoria Falls. The airport was first built in 1954 and has since been expanded and modernized to accommodate the growing number of tourists visiting the region. The airport is vital for Zambia’s tourism industry, especially since it provides access to major attractions like Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River, and numerous game reserves and national parks.
Livingstone Airport handles primarily domestic and regional flights, with seasonal international services. It plays a central role in supporting tourism in southern Zambia, linking travelers to Zambia’s rich wildlife and natural beauty. With continued growth in tourism, the airport is set to expand its services to accommodate the rising number of international visitors.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Livingstone Airport has one main runway:
- Runway 1: 2,500 meters (8,202 feet), capable of handling medium-sized aircraft, including narrow-body jets.
The airport’s terminal includes essential services such as check-in counters, duty-free shopping, food outlets, lounges, and baggage handling. The runway is capable of handling medium-sized aircraft, but larger, wide-body jets are not accommodated. Livingstone Airport continues to invest in its infrastructure, including improvements to the terminal and runway, to meet the growing demand from international travelers visiting the area.
4. Mfuwe Airport (MFU)
Airport Code: MFU
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT)
Address: Mfuwe, Zambia
Nearby Cities:
- Mfuwe (0 miles)
- South Luangwa National Park (10 miles)
- Chipata (35 miles)
- Lusaka (380 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Proflight Zambia
- Kenya Airways
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 15,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Mfuwe Airport is located near the South Luangwa National Park, one of Zambia’s premier wildlife destinations. The airport primarily serves tourists visiting the park for safaris and wildlife experiences. Mfuwe Airport was originally established as a small airstrip in the 1960s and has since been upgraded to handle both charter and scheduled flights, primarily from Lusaka and other regional destinations.
The airport’s location near one of Africa’s most famous national parks makes it an important point for international and domestic tourists. The airport supports Zambia’s eco-tourism and wildlife conservation sectors by providing easy access to the park, which is renowned for its abundant wildlife, including elephants, lions, and leopards.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Mfuwe Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 1,800 meters (5,906 feet), suitable for small to medium-sized aircraft.
The airport has basic facilities, including check-in counters, baggage claim, and a small terminal serving tourists and safari-goers. The runway is designed for small to medium-sized aircraft, including propeller planes and light jets. While Mfuwe is not a major commercial hub, it serves as an essential gateway to South Luangwa National Park and the surrounding areas. The airport continues to serve the growing demand for eco-tourism in Zambia.
5. Ndola Airport (NLA)
Airport Code: NLA
Time Zone: Central Africa Time (CAT)
Address: Ndola, Zambia
Nearby Cities:
- Ndola (0 miles)
- Kitwe (27 miles)
- Lusaka (170 miles)
- Mufulira (22 miles)
Major Airlines Served:
- Proflight Zambia
- South African Airways
Annual Passenger Traffic: Approximately 100,000 passengers
Airport Location and History
Ndola Airport, located in the Copperbelt region of Zambia, serves as an important point for regional air travel, particularly for the mining sector. The airport was originally established in the 1940s and has since evolved into a key airport for both domestic flights and regional travel. Ndola is a hub for Zambia’s mining industry, and the airport supports the transportation of workers, equipment, and goods to and from the region.
While Ndola Airport is smaller compared to Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, it plays an important role in connecting the Copperbelt region with the rest of Zambia and Southern Africa. The airport has seen a gradual increase in passenger traffic, particularly from business travelers and those involved in Zambia’s mining industry.
Facilities and Infrastructure
Ndola Airport has one runway:
- Runway 1: 2,800 meters (9,186 feet), capable of handling medium to large aircraft, including narrow-body jets.
The airport’s terminal offers basic facilities, including check-in counters, baggage handling, and a few food outlets. The runway is capable of handling medium to large aircraft, supporting regional flights within Southern Africa. Though Ndola Airport is not as large as other airports in Zambia, it continues to play a critical role in regional connectivity and supporting the mining and industrial sectors.
