Malawian Airlines flies into Johannesburg, South Africa
Malawian Airlines has launched its first international flight to Johannesburg.
Malawian Airlines is Ethiopian Airlines’ strategic partner for the southern Africa region and will operate the B737-800 Sky Interior aircraft daily from Lilongwe to Johannesburg, with a stopover in Blantyre.
“Ethiopian is first and foremost a Pan-African carrier which strongly believes that intra-African partnership is critical for the emergence of a globally competitive indigenous African airline industry.
“It is with this spirit that we have entered into a long-term partnership in Malawi.
“Together, we aim to serve the public and the air travel needs in the southern Africa region, both for regional and inter-continental travel, through an integrated network that offers seamless and convenient connectivity options to our 79 global destinations,” said Ethiopian Airlines chief executive Tewolde Gebremariam.
In line with Ethiopian’s strategy of establishing multiple hubs in Africa, the airline has partnered with the Malawian Government and private interests in the country to launch Malawian Airlines in Lilongwe.
Ethiopian has a 49 per cent equity stake in Malawian, as well as a technical and management contract for the new airline.
Lilongwe, Malawi, will be the third hub for Ethiopian Airlines after Lomé, Togo, Ethiopian’s hub for the west African region through a partnership with ASKY Airlines.
Malawian Airlines maintains its headquarters in Lilongwe, the capital and largest city in Malawi.
The airline’s major operations base is at Kamuzu International Airport, the largest airport in Malawi.
Malawian commenced operation on January 31st, 2014, serving the Blantyre-Lilongwe domestic route using a Bombardier Q-400.