PROFLIGHT ZAMBIA NAMES NEW CHIEF PILOT

Former Presidential jet pilot takes top job at Proflight

Proflight Zambia Chief Pilot Capt. Gerald Tembo

The nation’s local scheduled airline, Proflight Zambia, has named one of the country’s longest serving and most experienced aviators as its new Chief Pilot.

Captain Gerald Tembo, who has more than a quarter of a century of experience in the aviation industry, takes on the top job at a time of major expansion for the airline, which is preparing to take delivery of a 105-seat 737-200 aircraft as part of a major expansion drive.

“Proflight Zambia is proud to have some of the best pilots in the region, among them Captain Tembo, who brings with him a vast array of knowledge and experience. We are confident that he will help take the airline to new heights at this important time in the company’s history,” said the airline’s Director of Government and Industry Affairs Capt. Philip Lemba.

Capt. Tembo has been working in the aviation industry for over 25 years. He started his career with Flying Doctors Service in 1986 as a pilot flying Islander aircraft. Since then he has then flown for various companies in Zambia and in 1994 he starting flying the Presidential jet while also flying for Roan Air; in 1998 he became Chief Pilot for Zambian Airways and Head of Flight Operations.

Between 2010 and 2012 he worked for the Department of Civil Aviation before joining Proflight in 2012 as a Captain on the Jetstream 41 aircraft. Capt. Tembo is also a qualified 737-200 captain.

“Proflight Zambia is growing fast, and it is no doubt the most exciting company in Zambia to work for. I look forward to rising to the challenge and working with senior management and staff to continue to build the airline into a flagship company of which the nation can be proud,” said Capt. Tembo.

Capt. Tembo replaces Capt. Clive Shenton, who has stepped down as Proflight’s Chief Pilot to become the airline’s Boeing Fleet Captain.

“We would like to thank Capt. Shenton on behalf of the whole company for his dedication and hard work while he held this position and we do understand the external commitments that require him to step down,” said Capt. Lemba.

Proflight Zambia celebrates 22 years of operation this year. It flies to nine destinations throughout Zambia and provides the backbone of the nation’s domestic aviation capacity. It also has plans to launch international flights to Lilongwe in Malawi and Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the next few months.

The impending addition of a 737 aircraft to its fleet will provide the economies of scale that has enabled it to dramatically reduce fares across the board.

About Proflight Zambia

Proflight Zambia is Zambia’s flagship locally registered scheduled airline and was established in 1991. From its base in Lusaka it flies to Livingstone, Mfuwe, Lower Zambezi, Ndola, Solwezi, Chipata, Mansa and Kasama.

The airline prides itself in providing a safe, reliable, efficient and friendly service, and offering good value to business and leisure travellers locally and internationally.

The airline operates two 29-seater Jetstream 41 aircraft; three 18-seater Jetstream 32’s; and two 12-seater Caravan C208. A 105-seat Boeing 737-200 aircraft is scheduled for introduction in May to serve Lusaka/ Ndola and Lusaka/ Livingstone routes.

More information is available at www.flyzambia.com.