By: Lloyd M’bwana
The British role registered airline, Fastjet intends to suspend flying into Malawi barely few months after launching its services between Lilongwe and Tanzania with their last flights slated for February 8, 2016.
The sad development comes barely also a week in the new year after the country’s leading telecommunication limited Airtel Malawi restructured its operation by laying off some employees while on the other hand the nation’s chain stores, People Trading Centre (PTC), a subsidiary of Press Corporation Limited (PCL) closed 20 of its 85 shops nationwide because their performance was negatively impacting on the company’s profitability.
According to information The Maravi Post has sourced, Fastjet is frustrated with the Malawi government for failing to allow the company to extend the route to Blantyre in a bid to protect the route for the country’s flag carrier, Malawian Airline which Minister of Transport Francis Katsayira has disputed the claims.
Sources further allege that government promised Fastjet a green light of flight extension for Lilongwe-Blantyre as the way to maximize its business and profits but government changed the tune on the proposal arguing that Chileka International Airport in the commercial city of Blantyre runway could not handle another aircraft of the size that Fastjet intends to use.
Fastjet Chief Commercial Officer Richard Bodin is quoted in the local press saying authority failed to give clearance despite other international airlines including Ethiopian Airlines, Malawian Airlines, South African Airways and Kenya Airways being allowed to fly to Blantyre.
“Fastjet had been working closely with the Malawian Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development and the Malawi Civil Aviation Authority to secure the necessary clearances to allow us to extend our Lilongwe route to Blantyre which is the commercial centre of Malawi.
“Unfortunately, these clearances have not been forthcoming despite other international airlines being allowed flying to Blantyre as competition is good for consumers as it brings choice and air fares down. Fastjet regrets not being able to continue our efforts to make it easier for more traders, tourists and other visitors to travel between Malawi and Tanzania, strengthening the countries’ relationship while boosting the tourism and business sectors, creating jobs and significantly contributing to countries’ economic growth.
“However, Fastjet will continue to engage the Ministry of Transport in a positive manner with confidence that will commerce flights again should the necessary clearances that will allow us to operate a Dares Salaam-Lilongwe-Blantyre routing be secured”, optimistic Bodin.
The flight suspension has not gone down well with Malawi Tourism Council (MTC) which expressed sadness over the development saying it was a big blow to the country’s tourism.
MTC Executive Director Rosé bill Sambo observed that the flight postponement would affect the opening up the skies as it was the only way tourism would grow in the Malawi.
“Flying into the country is expensive. So, how do we get more people to experience our beauty if an airline that just came in last year has already decided to pull out”, quarreled Sambo.
But reacting to the allegation that government was responsible for Fastjet flight suspension into the country, Minister of Transport Katsayira disputed the claims arguing that the company air fares were cheaper than what was supposed to be gained as the result it was making huge loses.
“We have received a letter that Fastjet has suspended their flights in Malawi because were incurring loses bearing in mind that their air fares were below the market value to gain profits. We even surprised with their fairs if indeed would have profits on their business on the type route were using with the supply and demand aspect. Government could not stop them to offer such fairs thinking that more customers would use their flights as it is cheaper than any airline into the country.
“Government is surprised with this claim. The most import thing is the agreement we made with Tanzania government was that their flights cannot extend to Blantyre until all Chileka International Airport landing facilities including runways are maintained suitable for further handling of other flights apart from we have already.
“Even Tanzania Airlines applied the same route to Blantyre but we didn’t allow them on the same reasons. Therefore, we will not allow Fastjet flying to Blantyre until all necessary aviation facilities are in right order”, challenges Katsayira…
