APA-Johannesburg (South Africa) South African Airways (SAA) said on Tuesday that it would suspend service to Malawi’s Lilongwe and Blantyre at the end of November, citing current economic challenges being faced by the country.
In a statement, SAA chief executive John Lamola said the move was a “carefully considered risk management intervention” in response to Malawi’s current economic challenges.
“South African Airways (SAA) will suspend service to Malawi (Lilongwe and Blantyre) due to the recent economic challenges in Malawi…The suspension of services to Malawi is effective from Thursday, 30th November 2023,” Lamola said.
SAA mentioned in an industry alert last week that it was concerned about the substantial devaluation of the Malawian Kwacha, acute foreign currency shortages and the escalation of blocked funds and was closely monitoring the situation.
The Reserve Bank of Malawi devalued the Kwacha to the US dollar by 44 percent two weeks ago.
“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,” Lamola said in the latest statement.
He noted that while SAA valued its relationship with the Malawian market, it “cannot commit to routes that are not financially sustainable”.
Malawi is currently battling an economic crisis that has led to fuel shortages, inflated food prices and a shortage of foreign exchange.
JN/APA