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British Airways has suspended cargo flights to Zambia due to high jet fuel costs, it said on Wednesday in a move analysts said would hurt exporters who earn millions of dollars for the African country every year.
The airline's decision prompted Zambian President Levy Mwanawasa to order energy officials to look at ways of reducing jet fuel costs, which in Zambia are now at 78 cents per litre or almost twice as much as neighboring countries.
"The decision (to withdraw the cargo flight) was reached last week, and flights will be stopped on August 8," British Airways spokesman George Makulu said.
The airline will continue to run direct passenger service between Lusaka and London.
Officials said British Airways' decision to scrap cargo flights would leave Zambian exporters of cut flowers and fresh vegetables without a direct route to get produce to European markets.
British Airways was the only direct cargo link between Europe and Zambia, and exporters will now be forced to turn to more time-consuming transhipment routes through South Africa.
Treasury data indicates that Zambia earned USD$60 million from exports of vegetables and roses in 2004, mostly to Europe. Thousands of Zambians earn a living by working on large commercial vegetable farms.
Mwanawasa said separately at a news conference that Zambia could not afford to lose the cargo link.
"I have been informed that there is a task force to look into the problems of the price of jet fuel. I think this is not necessary because we know what the problem is... I am directing the ministry of energy to quickly find a solution," he said.
Last week, aviation industry sources said a Kenyan Airways passenger flight expected in Zambia was forced to land in Malawi to refuel due to a shortage of jet fuel in the country.
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