Government faces growing pressure to account for stalled rehabilitation works at Mzuzu and Karonga airports—key to the country’s mining and tourism ambitions.
The delays have also revived questions about the Northern Region’s long-promised international airport, after the much-touted Orton Chirwa International Airport failed to materialise under the previous Malawi Congress Party government.
The Nation has established that Minister of Transport and Public Works Jappie Mhango yesterday quietly visited Mzuzu Airport to query delayed works on the facility and to meet stakeholders for roundtable talks.
A credible source within Airport Development Limited (ADL) said the meeting involved the ministry, ADL, Malawi Airlines and LIlongwe Handling Company.
Mhango. | Nation
Malawi Airlines spokesperson Joseph Chikalipo confirmed the meeting, but refused to divulge the details, referring The Nation to the ministry.
“Yes, we were part of the meeting, but as an airline we cannot comment on the matter,” he said.
Ministry of Transport and Public Works spokesperson Chikondi Chimala asked for more time to respond to our questionnaire.
Explaining the meeting between Mhango and the stakeholders, the source said it was a tribunal to iron out outstanding issues on Mzuzu Airport, key to which is the runway.
“Malawi Airlines wants more work on the runway. The runway is old. It needs an overlay and that is expensive. To put that money into an airport that is not operational is a gamble,” said the source who asked for anonymity.
According to the source, the agreement is that ADL has to address the outstanding issues on the airport within the next three months for Malawi Airlines to start flight simulation.
“Simulations have to be done within the next three months,” said the source, adding that “we are good to go for lighter aircraft but not the Bombardier Dash 8 – Q400.”
Commenting on the delays, CCAP Synod of Livingstonia general secretary the Reverend William Tembo said the airports are long overdue as they would facilitate economic growth and access to social services.
The rehabilitation on Mzuzu Airport started in 2024. The project has missed several completion deadlines. ADL said in January 2026 that it needed an extra K700 million to finish outstanding technical and operational issues before commercial operations can start.
