Malawi inviting airline business: Qatar, Emirates show interest
Malawi government is inviting some airline business into the country after clearance by the Organisation of Civil Aviation, declaring Kamuzu International Airport in the capital Lilongwe fit for all types of aircrafts following the fixing of some of the essential facilities at the airport,
Minister of Transport, Public Works and Infrastructure, Sidik Mia, confirmed there have been several international airline companies that have shown interest to ply their business in Malawi but government has focused much on the two; Qatar and Emirates airline companies.
“There have been issues that we needed to look at and at the same time abide by in line with the international organisations that monitor the airlines.
“We looked at the issues to do with flights ladders as well as the issues to do with equipment which needed a good recommendation from CAO and generally in areas of flights so that Malawi would make it to the international standards,” said the minister.
Government manages KIA through Airport Development Limited (ADL) which is under the Ministry of Transport and Public Infrastructure.
Mia expressed gratitude to the Japanese government for the financial support used to purchase the machinery making the KIA back to its normal standard.
“We have standby generators that will be able to support the KIA once electricity turns off. And we also looked at the issues to do with security which has been put in place,” he said.
Government installed new check in counters at KIA expected to improve efficiency of the country’s international airport in serving passengers.
“We have been talking to many airlines basically those known ones for example Emirates, Qatar who are very interested and of course we have had many interests from several airlines.”
Government is also upghrading several facilities at the airport.
Installation of CCTV cameras at KIA and new conveyor belts will be done.
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :