Malawi: Deputy Minister of Transport and Public Works, Baba Steven Malondera announced that Karonga International Airport is set to restart. The airport will start operating commercial flights in the next 21 days.
Malondera was inspecting the airport’s facilities on Saturday. At this inspection visit, he confirmed that the airport is ready to resume commercial flights. The Minister has also confirmed that the operationalisation of the airport will support the working at Kayelekera Uranium Mine.
Karonga is home to many mining operations. some of them are operated by non locals. If commercial flights are resumed, it will facilitate the transportation of mining equipment and personnel. The mining operations will also be handled easily in this case.
“The airport previously welcomed commercial flights in 2010. After nearly 15 years, the facility is ready to resume commercial flights again. ,
Lotus Africa Limited’s (LAL) Mining Manager Philip Schoeman has promised to help renovate Karonga International Airport. He has claimed that it is crucial for them as their operations will depend on it.
“We will be scheduling three or more flights in a week through this airport which is why we have already started rehabilitation works like pothole filling and levelling the runway. This is a very facility only that it wasn’t being well taken care of but things will change,”said Schoeman.
Malawi Airlines Flight and Safety Manager, Captain Frank Madzi, said the rehabilitation of the 1.6km runway will involve extending the shoulders to 30 metres from the current 20 metres in width.
The Minister confirmed that the airport is capable to recieve a 67 seater Boeing 737. He also said that this airport is being under utilised and wearing out due to rains.
However, the government and LAL are rehabilitating this airport and it will be in perfect condition to receive commercial flights,” Madzi said.
Chairperson for the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Public Infrastructure, Enock Phale also shared his views. He believes that the facility will reduce pressure on road transport and reduce traveling hours.
Ministry of Transport and Public Works generated a revenue of K4.3 billion in the 2024/25 fiscal year. A large portion of that revenue was generated through airport fees. The opening of airports can help the Ministry in generating more resources and revenue which to improve airports, such as Karonga.