__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Monday, June 10, 2013

► MALAWI: Rejuvenated Air Malawi due back in the skies before June 30.

Air MalawiFollowing the finalization of modalities, a revitalized Air Malawi (QM) operating in conjunction with Ethiopian Airlines is due to begin operations by the end of this month (June), Malawian Minister of Transport and Public Works, Sidik Mia, has disclosed.

Air Malawi ATR42
Air Malawi ATR42 (Air Malawi)
While no exact plans have been divulged, Mr Mia said the workforce would be 60% Malawian despite Ethiopian holding a 49% tranche.
"Government is serious with the transport sector and as you might be aware, we have just finalized the deal with Ethiopian Airline which is due to start its operations by the end of this month. However, we still saw the need to have more competitors hence plans to consult the mentioned airlines," Mia explained in Parliament when he was answering some questions from MPs about his ministry.
He added that Air Malawi workers interested in remaining on-board the rejuvenated venture would be put up for consideration and those wishing to leave would be duly paid.

In the interests of ensuring healthy competition, Mr Mia added that prep work was being done for possible talks with both Qatar Airways (QR) and Emirates (EK) regarding the start of flights to the landlocked southeast Africa country.