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Minister gives update on Orton Chirwa Airport

Minister of Transport and Public Works Jacob Hara says construction of the  proposed Orton Chirwa International Airport in the Northern Region is expected to start in three-months’ time and will be completed within two years.

Hara, accompanied by his deputy Peter Dimba, made the remarks on Tuesday when he inspected rehabilitation and expansion works of Mzuzu Airport.

Dimba (L) Hara (C) inspect the runway with engineers. | Ralph Mvona

He said following his engagement with aviation experts in Mzuzu, government will also be considering moving the Orton Chirwa International Airport from Ekwendeni in Mzimba to the Mzuzu Airport site, saying such would be more efficient.

“Today we have had new ideas from the aviation professionals including the pilots who have advised us that this [Mzuzu Airport]could also be a good place. That is something we will take for consideration before we make a final decision.

“In 3 months’ time we will have contractors to start developing the new airport. The good thing is that if we decide to move the new airport to Mzuzu Airport site, things will move faster because feasibility studies are already in place,” he said.

He, however, said the feasibility study that happened previously was only preliminary as it was meant for site selection between Lusangazi and Ekwendeni.

Said Hara: “There was another feasibility study for a proper airport that was supposed to be funded by Badea but that was not disbursed and we have waited years for that. But now we have resolved to get alternate financing.”

The minister refused to disclose the source of the said alternate financing but indicated that the budget for the Orton Chirwa Airport was hovering around K350 billion.

Asked why it has taken government close to five years to start building the new airport, Hara said they were still planning and mobilising resources, arguing that such projects take time to roll out.

On the expansion works happening at Mzuzu Airport runway which were projected to end mid-January, Hara admitted the delays, saying after inspection, they expect the runway to be open in the next 14 days.

In a separate interview, Malawian Airlines pilot and safety officer, Frank Madzi lamented the delays but said they are ready to start flying their 68-seater Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 aircrafts to the North.

Malawi Airlines on Monday this week unveiled plans to extend flights to Mzuzu and Karonga in the first half of this year, marking a significant step towards improving domestic connectivity and boosting economic activity in the Northern Region.

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