Malawian Airlines targets Victoria Falls

Published: 21 June 2015

Malawian Airlines plans to capitalise on the southern African region's thriving tourism sector by introducing a connecting flight between Lake Malawi and Victoria Falls.

Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (Caaz) board member George Manyaya said introduction of connecting flights between Victoria Falls and Lake Malawi will help increase trade between the two countries.

"This development will also go a long way towards stimulating tourism growth between our two countries as a result of improved connectivity," said Manyaya during Malawi Airline's first anniversary celebrations on Wednesday.

The airline - jointly owned by the Malawian government and Ethiopian Airlines - launched its flight operations in February last year by introducing three weekly flights on the Harare-Lilongwe-Blantyre route.

"This indeed gives confidence that our destination is viable and is a clear testimony that the Zimbabwean aviation industry is growing," he added.

Malawian ambassador to Zimbabwe Jane Kambalame said the introduction of direct flights from Malawi to Harare has given an additional lift to trade, economic and tourism ties between the two southern African countries.

"Air transport remains the main catalyst for regional integration and globalisation because it facilitates speedy movement of people and goods in other words, aviation is an enabler of economic growth, particularly for our region," Kambalame said.

She added that the airline had the potential of setting new standards, benchmarking from other airlines that have been operating in the region for a long period of time.

Caaz's chief executive David Chawota said Malawian Airlines has grown its passenger traffic by 30 percent in one year - which is a very big contribution to growth of aviation on the African continent.

"According to International Air Travel Association statistics, in 2015 Africa's aviation industry is estimated to experience a growth of 68 percent and Malawi Airlines will enjoy a significant share of that market," said Chawota.

He added that Caaz was forging ahead with plans to develop airport facilities and establishing advanced navigation systems in order to enhance capacity to handle increased air traffic.
- dailynews