KWACHA Airlines, a fully
Malawian-owned airline,
has just been granted an
Air Operating Licence by the
Ministry of Public Works and
Transport of Malawi to start
passenger and cargo services
on September 1 using a B737-
700. It will operate domestic
and international routes.
James Makunje, one of
the three owners of Kwacha
Airlines, says further details
about routes and services will
be announced in due time, but
there is speculation among
the South African trade that a
Johannesburg route is in the
pipeline.
SAA and Malawian Airlines
(operated by Ethiopian Airlines)
both operate flights between
Johannesburg and Malawi,
but another airline on the
route would be welcomed
by business travellers, says
Debbie Joubert, md of Sure
Travel 24-7.
Debbie says reliable
domestic flights in Malawi
are also needed and explains
that getting clients to Lilongwe
and Blantyre is currently a
challenge. “We have clients
who go to Malawi every
month or two and it is always
so difficult to get them to
meetings on time – especially
when they have to visit both
cities.” She says car hire is
extremely expensive, so driving
between Lilongwe and Blantyre
is often not an option.
From a leisure travel
perspective, Mary Shilleto,
ceo of Thompsons Travel,
says Malawi used to be
sold extensively for family
holidays and honeymoons
when Air Malawi was still in
operation. “Tourism to Malawi
has dropped drastically since
then.”
Rolene Kirkel, VIP
commercial aviation specialist
of HRG Rennies Travel,
says as long as Kwacha
Airlines is reliable, handles
queries efficiently and
takes responsibility for any
disruptions, she would book
it. “Based on these factors, I
think the airline could build up
a great market in SA.”
New Malawi carrier to launch
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