South African Airways to suspend flights to Malawi citing country's financial instability

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa

South Africa national carrier South African Airways (SAA) will suspend its operations to Lilongwe and Blantyre in Malawi at the end of November.

The airline made the announcement on Tuesday, calling this move a "risk management intervention".

Said SAA’s chief executive officer, Professor John Lamola: “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."

President of Malawi,
Lazarus Chakwera

Malawi is currently battling an economic crisis that has led to fuel shortages, inflated food prices and a shortage of foreign exchange.

Last week, President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera suspended all his international trips until march as part of cost-cutting measures following the devaluation of the Malawi Kwacha.

The suspension of foreign trips also extends to all cabinet ministers, heads of statutory bodies and senior government officials.

SAA says while it values its relationship with the Malawian market, it "cannot commit to routes that are not financially sustainable".

Last week, Malawi's central bank devalued the country's currency - the Kwacha - to the US Dollar by almost 30%.

The currency's value to the US Dollar currently sits at less than 1%.

SAA said it would continue to monitor the situation in the country and remains open to resuming the route should the situation change.

The route will officially stop operating next Thursday.