Mozambique’s national carrier LAM Mozambique says it intends to expand its fleet and flight schedule as a result of improved earnings.
The improved revenue should enable the airline to ramp up its operations.
LAM MOZAMBIQUE RESTRUCTURING PROCESS
LAM Mozambique is currently undergoing a business restructuring process, which appears to be bearing fruit.
The airline’s restructuring process is indeed being carried out by Fly Modern Ark (FMA), a South African company hired to reform the carrier.
IMPROVED EARNINGS
Mozambique’s flag carrier earned a total of 3.7 billion meticais in the first half of this year.
‘It’s a figure that’s a little below what was projected, but if the company earns the same in the second half of the year, we’ll be well above the revenues obtained in the previous year. So we’re forecasting growth of around 19%,” LAM’s Chairman, Américo Muchanga said.
The earnings of 3.7 billion meticais (€52 million) will enable the airline to expand its fleet and route network later this year.
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FLEET EXPANSION
LAM is not the only carrier in the region to be expanding its operations.
Air Botswana has also just announced significant route expansion.
As stated by the airline’s chairman Américo Muchanga, LAM Mozambique intends to obtain additional aircraft this year.
The airline currently operates six aircraft but it plans to acquire four more this year. It is therefore considering adding additional Boeing and Embraer aircraft to its fleet.
‘We’re thinking of bringing in two more Boeing 737 aircraft and two more Embraer 145 aircraft to reinforce our domestic and regional routes,’ LAM’s chairman Américo Muchanga said.
LAM MOZAMBIQUE ROUTE NETWORK
The Maputo-based airline offers a compact route network. It operates flights to domestic 12 destinations.
LAM Mozambique also flies to cities in neighbouring countries including Johannesburg, Dar es Salaam, Harare, Lusaka and Cape Town.
However, it only offers one intercontinental route, that being Lisbon in Portugal. This route is one that the airline seeks to improve.
“LAM wants to maintain the Maputo-Lisbon route. We’re working on it. We want to operate this route in conditions where it is sustainable and can generate profit, let’s say, operationally,” he said.
