South African Airways suspends flights to TWO destinations

South African Airways (SAA) will stop flying to two destinations in its route network next week due to the worsening financial situation in Malawi. 

South Africa’s flag carrier will suspend its flights to both Lilongwe and Blantyre in Malawi at the end of November due to an escalating economic crisis in that country.        

The national airline announced last week that it would halt ticket sales in Malawi owing to the financial situation caused by currency devaluation there.

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ECONOMIC CRISIS

Malawi is currently battling an economic crisis that has led to fuel shortages, inflated food prices and a shortage of foreign exchange.

Last week, Malawi’s central bank devalued the country’s currency (the Kwacha) to the US Dollar by almost 30%.

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SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS FLIGHT SUSPENSION

South African Airways will stop operating flights to Malawi next Thursday, 30 November. The airline has not said when it would reinstate these routes. 

The company says it will continue to monitor the situation in the country and that it remains open to resuming flights if the situation changes.

“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.” SAA’s chief executive officer, Professor John Lamola said per EWN.

ACTING RESPONSIBLY

South Africa’s restarted national carrier resumed operations in late 2021 after undergoing a lengthy business rescue process.

The revamped airline emerged stating it has a responsibility to act in the national interest. This includes weaning itself off state funding.  

The decision to suspend flights to Malawi is in line with this objective. The airline said that the halting of flights to Malawi was aimed at risk management intervention.

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