Air Malawi

Air Malawi

Air Malawi Limited is an airline based in Blantyre, Malawi. It is the national airline of Malawi, wholly owned by the Malawi government and operates regional passenger services. Its main base is Chileka International Airport, Blantyre, with a hub at Lilongwe International Airport.

The airline began operations in 1964 as a subsidiary of Central African Airways, and after the latter's dissolution, it became independent, and became the national airline of Malawi. Since its inception, the airline has concentrated on domestic and regional flights, with the exception of a short-lived long-haul flight to London in the 1970s.

Since 2000, the Malawian government has attempted on two occasions to privatise the airline unsuccessfully. The first attempt in 2003 failed because of the successful bidder, in partnership with South African Airways, being unable to post a security bond. The second attempt in 2007 failed after disagreements over the terms with the bidder, Comair of South Africa.

From its hub in Blantyre, Air Malawi currently operates a fleet of four aircraft on a route network of six destinations including, Lilongwe, Johannesburg, Harare, Dar es Salaam and Lusaka.