Malawi airlines gets operator licence
Malawi Airlines, the company that replaced the now liquidated Air Malawi, has been given an Air Operator Certificate (AOC) by the Malawi Government giving the company a go ahead to operate its flights from
the country.
In a statement the company’s Chief Executive Officer Kassim Geresu said the certification marks a major milestone to the company as it sets itself to start flying in some of the major destinations that the defunct Air Malawi used to operate to including OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa.
Geresu promised that with the issuance of the certificate the airline will keep working to see Malawian airplanes back in the region’s skies shortly.
According to the statement the certificate was awarded to the company on Friday January 3, 2014 by Malawi’s Department of Civil Aviation.
“I hope the Airline designation and traffic arrangements will be finalized soon. The AOC was a pre-requisite for these action items and will give us the encouragement to work on marketing and sales efforts as well,” said Geresu.
Malawi’s Director of Aviation Alfred Mtilatila presided over the handing of the certificate on behalf of the Malawi Government.
Geresu said the AOC will allow Malawian Airlines to provide both domestic and international commercial air services.
“Over the last few months, Malawian Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and Malawi Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) team worked hard for this day. I wish to thank all those who were involved in this task,” added Geresu.
Mtilatila said the AOC is the beginning of a long-term relationship between Malawian Airlines as an operator and DCA as a regulator in providing Malawians with an affordable and safe air transport service.
“Malawians have long been waiting for a national asset to meet their demands after the demise of Air Malawi and the Certification of Malawian Airlines brings back the luxury of efficient and seamless air travel for the nation,” said Mtilatila.
He added: “This is the first airline to be certified under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s Five-Phase Certification process and hence gives confidence to both the operator and travelling public on safety of operations by Malawian Airlines.”
Ethiopian Airlines, with 49 percent stake, is running the new airline in partnership with the Malawi Government.
Sources have indicated that the new company might make its maiden flight to OR Tambo on either 20th or 22nd January as tickets will start being sold in a few coming days.
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