Malawi Airlines launches operations from Lilongwe to Blantyre and Harare

Malawi Airlines, which was recently formed in July 2013 as a result of a joint venture with Ethiopian Airlines, began operations with the launch of its first services from its Lilongwe (LLW) base to Blantyre (BLZ) and to Harare (HRE) on 30 January, the latter being operated via Blantyre (BLZ). Due to the hectic start of the carrier, which was supposed to be launched on 1 January, the future situation of Malawi’s route network is uncertain. Both services will be served thrice-weekly, utilising a mixed fleet of Ethiopian’s 154-seat 737-800s and 69-seat Q400s. However, the flights to Malawi’s centre of finance and commerce, Blantyre, will increase to twice-daily once six more international routes will be launched to Tete, Lusaka, Dar es Salaam, Beira, Johannesburg and Maputo in February. The airline’s first connections will face no competition from other carriers.