THE National Airports Corporation Limited (NACL) has received eight ultra-modern fire tenders and two trauma ambulances which have been procured by Government at about KR85 million.

The equipment will enhance safety and quality of services to the airlines and passengers at the four international airports.

NACL managing director Robinson Misitala said the state-of-the-art facilities would be distributed to Kenneth Kaunda, Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe and Mfuwe international airports.

He said the equipment had been purchased at a total cost of KR84,669,303.00 (about US $16,282,558.40).

Mr Misitala said with enhanced capability and status, Zambian airports would now stand ready to respond to any airport emergency challenge that may occur within the airport boundaries.

"The state-of-the-art equipment has certainly come at the right time when Zambia and Zimbabwe will co-host the 20th World's biggest tourism event, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation General Assembly," he said.

In a statement issued in Lusaka, Mr Misitala said: "We envisage that Zambia through the Kenneth Kaunda and Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International airports will be the gateway to this prestigious event which will highlight what the beautiful country of Zambia, the warmth of Africa, has to offer."

He said Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula Airport in Livingstone would showcase its newly constructed passenger terminal building which has the capacity to handle one million passengers annually.

With the acquisition of the new airport fire tenders and trauma ambulances, NACL places itself on the map and portrays to the world that it abides by the International Civil Aviation Organisation safety standards.

The move demonstrates that NACL can handle bigger aircraft like the Emirates Airline Boeing B777-300ER which will be the longest passenger scheduled aircraft to ever touch down at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport on February 1, 2013.

Mr Misitala said NACL constantly endeavoured to be the leading provider of the world class airport and air navigation services and the addition of the new firefighting and rescue equipment goes to show the commitment.