Govt orders parastatal CEOs to fly Malawian Airlines
Malawi Government has directed that all chief executive officers (CEOs) from parastatal organisations to use Malawian Airlines on official and public-sponsored trips.
This is the second time in six months that government has issued a travel directive to public officers.
In February this year, the Office of President and Cabinet also ordered all government officials to use Malawian Airlines, saying it was a Cabinet decision aimed at promoting the airline.
A circular from the controller of statutory corporations to all parastatal CEOs reads: “Government has directed that all public officials, travelling abroad within the region sponsored by government or public resources should travel by Malawi Airlines where possible.”
Ministry of Finance spokesperson Nations Msowoya supported the directive, saying it aims at supporting the airline to thrive.
“Being a local airline, fares will be paid in local currency and there will be no need to externalise forex,” said Msowoya.
Malawian Airlines public relations officer, Maganizo Mazeze, said the directive will enhance the growth of the company and the country’s economy.
“We applaud government for the initiative as it promotes the local brand,” said Mazeze.
This is our Fly Malawi Act like the Americans have Fly America Act? It’s just that ours has not been enacted.
This patriotic directive should extend to all Malawi citizens/Malawi passport holders flying out of Malawi and
Immigration should have the powers to deny anyone exiting the country using carriers other than Malawian Airlines.
This directive should extend to bus companies going to Tanzania and South Africa. We have our local bus companies that need to be protected for them to grow.