Kenya Airways suspends ticket issuance in Malawi
Kenya Airways has indefinitely suspended its ticket issuance authority on the Malawi market following worsening foreign currency repatriation difficulties as it is working on a solution.
In a communication TN Number: 02-12-2022 issued on Friday to its trade partners, the airline said subsequently, with immediate effect, the ticketing authority for all agents in Malawi shall be withdrawn until further notice.
The airline has since advised its guests to buy tickets via kq.com where payment can be done with debit or credit card.
In an interview yesterday, Kenya Airways country manager Pauline Kariuki said while the airline is waiting on government for a possible solution, business has become difficult.
She said: “It is true that we have suspended ticketing issuance authority on the local market due to currency shortage. Flights are still operating but we can’t file a ticket from here.
“Customers will have to pay direct to our Kenya Airways account by paying by credit or debit card in Kenya.”
Industry expert Tony Chimpukuso said the situation reflects a sad development for the aviation sector.
He said: “This is a sad development for the Malawi market in the first place, but it is not good for KQ as well because this doesn’t help them as a company.
“I hope the forex squeeze will be over soon if we are to be competitive. KQ cannot afford to restrict Malawi passengers with Ethiopian Airlines on the route as well.”
Minister of Transport and Public Works Jacob Hara said he was aware of the development, but referred the matter to Treasury for comment. However, Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Sosten Gwengwe said the central bank is handling the matter.
However, Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) spokesperson Ralph Tseka was yet to respond to The Nation questionnaire on the issue by the time we went to press at 9pm.
