Malawi Airlines launches first flight
At long last, the Malawian Airlines is scheduled to launch its air operations Thursday, January 30, with a domestic flight from Lilongwe to Blantyre.
The national flag carrier, whose motto is ‘From the Warm Heart of Africa’, will commence its international flight as scheduled on Friday, January 31.
Malawian Airlines Public Relations Officer, Maganizo Mazeze, said the airliner’s strategic partner, Ethiopian Airlines, will deliver two aero planes Wednesday afternoon.
“The Malawian Airlines is pleased to announce that it will receive its first two state-of-the art new generation aero-planes on 29th January, 2014 at a ceremony to be held at the Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe,” said Mazeze in a media statement sent to Nyasa Times.
The planes are a Boeing 737-800 and Bombardier Q400, which he said, are both less than two years in operation.
The introduction of the flights, said Mazeze, is a ‘dream come’ true for the airliner, which only received its commercial operator license from Malawi Department of Civil Aviation earlier this month.
The Airline’s aircraft, which have two configurations of business and economy class, will have double daily flights between Lilongwe and Blantyre.
“The airline’s flagship route of Johannesburg will originate from Lilongwe with a stop-over in Blantyre, giving passengers the greatest choice and convenience for international connectivity to the region and the outer world,” said the spokesperson.
This is the first time that Lilongwe and Blantyre will have daily flights into Johannesburg, one of Africa’s busiest connecting hubs to the rest of the world.
The airline is convinced that the introduction of flights to neighbouring countries will compel surface travellers to begin flying, which is very convenient than driving.
However, Malawi Airlines is appealing to the general public to use its services which will offer highly competitive fares and on-ground and in-flight world class services.
“The success of this national flag carrier hinges on the support it will receive from the public particularly at this inception stage,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mazeze said the airline has started selling tickets based on its schedule at its sales offices and at all travel agents outlets across the country.
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