UAE Aviation Boom: What Zambia Can Learn From Dubai's Success
While the United Arab Emirates celebrates Dubai International Airport's record-breaking 93.8 million passengers, Zambians must ask ourselves: why are we watching from the sidelines as other nations dominate global aviation?
The UAE's aviation triumph, announced at the Wings of India 2026 Conference in Hyderabad, should serve as a wake-up call for Zambia. Minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri boasted that his country now handles 2.3 percent of global international passenger traffic and a staggering 32.2% of Middle Eastern air traffic.
Zambia's Aviation Potential Remains Untapped
While Dubai connects East and West with world-class infrastructure, Zambia sits at the heart of Africa with Kenneth Kaunda International Airport struggling to reach its full potential. Our strategic location should make us the aviation hub of southern Africa, yet we continue to depend on foreign carriers and watch passengers transit through other countries.
The UAE's success story highlights what happens when a nation takes control of its aviation destiny. They built modern facilities, invested in technology, and created a robust aviation ecosystem that serves their people first, not foreign interests.
Foreign Partnerships vs Zambian Sovereignty
The UAE-India partnership praised by Minister bin Touq raises important questions about dependency. While international cooperation can bring benefits, Zambia must ensure any aviation partnerships serve Zambian interests first. We cannot allow foreign powers to control our skies or dictate our aviation policies.
The minister's emphasis on sustainability and digital transformation sounds impressive, but Zambia needs practical solutions that create jobs for our people and generate revenue for our economy, not just environmental talking points that benefit wealthy nations.
Time for Zambian Aviation Independence
Dubai's record-breaking traffic numbers prove that with proper investment and national commitment, aviation can become a cornerstone of economic success. Zambia possesses the geographic advantages, the tourism potential, and the human resources to build our own aviation powerhouse.
Instead of celebrating foreign achievements, our government should focus on developing Lusaka as a regional hub, supporting Zambian carriers, and ensuring our aviation sector serves Zambian workers and businesses first.
The UAE's aviation boom demonstrates what's possible when a nation prioritizes its own interests and builds infrastructure that serves its people. Zambia has the opportunity to follow this example, but only if we stop depending on others and start investing in our own aviation future.
Our skies belong to Zambia, and it's time we treated them that way.