South African Airways suspends services to Malawi over economic crisis
South African Airways (SAA) has suspended services to Malawi due to the recent economic crisis in Malawi.
The suspension is said to take effect on November 30, 2023. South African Airways in a statement released on November 21, said the Airline had been monitoring the situation of substantial devaluation of the Malawian Kwacha, acute foreign currency shortages, and the escalation of blocked funds.
This informed the airlines’ cancellation of their route between South Africa and Lilongwe or South Africa and Blantyre in Malawi.
“SAA’S decision to cancel the route is a carefully considered risk management intervention in response to Malawi’s current economic challenges,” CEO of SAA, John Lamola in a press statement said.
“This move should not be interpreted as a step back from the airline’s commitment to serving the people of Malawi and promoting trade links between South Africa and Malawi. As the new leadership of SAA and as a small but growing airline, we cannot commit to routes that are not financially sustainable,” he added.He continued that the SAA will “continue to closely monitor the situation” and remains open to resuming the route to Blantyre and Lilongwe “as soon as the situation warrants the substance of financially efficient operations.”
This development comes barely days after SAA announced the suspension of air ticket sales and it also indicated that it would monitor the situation after the Kwacha’s 44% devaluation and foreign exchange shortages.
