PRETORIA-(MaraviPost)-The South African Airways (SAA) has announced suspension of services to Malawi (Lilongwe and Blantyre), with effect from Thursday, November 30, 2023.
The development comes barely a week after President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse Alliance government devalued Malawi Kwacha by 44%.
The Kwacha devaluation has worsened already economic volatile as goods and services have gone up beyond locals imagination.
A statement issued on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 says in an industry alert last week, SAA mentioned that it was monitoring the situation of substantial
devaluation of the Malawi Kwacha, acute foreign currency shortages and the escalation of blocked funds, closely before making the ‘difficult’ decision to cancel its route to Malawi.
SAA’s Chief Executive Officer John Lamola says the decision to cancel the route is 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.
“In an industry alert last week, SAA mentioned that it was monitoring the situation of substantial devaluation of the Malawian Kwacha, acute foreign currency shortages, and the escalation of blocked funds, closely before making the difficult decision to cancel its route to Malawi,” reads part of SAA statement.
SAA adds, “The suspension of services to Malawi is effective from Thursday, 30th November 2023.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. SAA values its relationship with the Malawian market and thanks its customers for their understanding and continued support during these challenging times”.
Lamola concludes, “We will continue to closely monitor the situation. We remain open to resuming the route to Malawi as soon as the situation warrants the substance of financially efficient operations from this route
“SAA apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause and thanks its customers for their understanding and continued support during these challenging times”
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