Translate
Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport
Ndola, Zambia
Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport
Zambia's Copperbelt gateway serving Ndola and the mining region.
- ›The airport was renamed after Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe, a Zambian nationalist leader and former vice president.
- ›It is the second busiest airport in Zambia after Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka.
- ›The airport serves the Copperbelt region, one of the world's most significant copper mining areas.
- ›The UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld died in a plane crash near Ndola in 1961, a historically significant aviation event in the region.
- ›The airport has the ICAO designation FLSK and serves as a key cargo hub for the mining industry.
Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport, named after a prominent Zambian nationalist and politician, serves Ndola, the commercial hub of Zambia's Copperbelt Province. The airport plays a vital role in connecting the mineral-rich region to Lusaka and select international destinations, supporting both business travellers and cargo operations tied to the mining industry. A major expansion and modernisation project completed in the early 2020s significantly upgraded the terminal infrastructure and runway capacity.
- Main Terminal — A modernised single passenger terminal handling domestic and limited international flights with improved check-in, retail, and lounge facilities.
- Taxis available at the designated rank outside the arrivals hall
- Ride-hailing apps such as Yango operate in Ndola and can be booked via smartphone
- Private hire vehicles and airport transfer services bookable through hotels
- Car rental desks available within the terminal from local operators
- Minibus (minibuses/combis) routes connect the airport area to central Ndola
- Intercontinental Ndola
- Protea Hotel by Marriott Ndola
- Edinburgh Hotel Ndola
- Savoy Hotel Ndola
- Mukuba Hotel
Inside the terminal, passengers will find a small selection of cafés and snack outlets offering light meals, beverages, and local refreshments. Options expand considerably in central Ndola, about 4 kilometres from the airport, where restaurants serving Zambian cuisine alongside Indian and international fare are available. Travellers on early or late flights are advised to eat before arriving, as airside dining options remain limited.
- Arrive at least 90 minutes before domestic flights and 2 hours before international departures, as check-in processes can be manual and queues unpredictable.
- Carry Zambian Kwacha for taxis and small purchases, as card acceptance at the airport is not universally reliable.
- Confirm your flight status directly with the airline before heading to the airport, as schedule changes are not always announced well in advance.
- The Copperbelt experiences a distinct rainy season from November to April; allow extra travel time to the airport during heavy downpours.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
Route map (7 destinations)
Airlines serving this airport
Routes
Pick what matters for your layover or early flight, then compare on your favorite booking site.
IndianAirports may receive compensation when you book or purchase through some of the links on this page, at no additional cost to you. Prices and availability are set by the booking provider and may change. We never share your private trip details with partners — only the destination, dates and party size you searched.
City & Place Guide
No guide exists for this place yet — Click to generate a Traveler Pulse guide.
Passport, Visa & Immigration
Flying internationally via NLA? Check entry, transit and customs requirements for Zambia from official government sources.
Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport is an international airport in Ndola, Copperbelt Province, Zambia. It was called Ndola Airport before being renamed in 2011 for Simon Kapwepwe, the nation's former vice president. It is adjacent to the Dag Hammarskjöld Crash Site Memorial about fifteen kilometres (9.3 mi) west of the city centre.
Read full article on Wikipedia