Rehabilitation of Mzuzu Airport runway ended on Monday, a month after Minister of Transport Jacob Hara projected the works to close on February 11 2025.
Our visit to the airport revealed that the contractor concentrated on extending the runway, but no work has been done on the airport’s terminal, which was scheduled for face-lifting.
In an interview on Monday, Airport Development Limited (ADL) spokesperson Wezzie Gondwe said Hara and Civil Aviation Authority officials are expected to inspect the runway today.
She said: “The runway is ready. We have done all the planned maintenance works such as expansion and strengthening the runway surface. Our priority was on the runway and we will now be moving to the terminal.
“What is remaining is certification of the runway. The Minister of Transport and aviation officials will inspect the runway on Wednesday and decide on its certification.”
She further explained that a test flight will take place after certification of the runway and talks were underway between ADL and Malawi Airlines on the test flight.
Mzuzu Airport rehabilitation was initially estimated to cost K1.4 billion, but Gondwe said the cost may have to be recalculated.
Malawi Airlines in January announced plans to extend flights to Mzuzu and Karonga in the first half of this year.
The plans mark a significant step towards improving domestic connectivity and boosting economic activity in the Northern Region.
But in mid-February, the airline admitted that the delays in the rehabilitation works have affected its plans to extend flights to Mzuzu, but said the airline appreciates the works’ progress thus far.
Malawi Airline’s spokesperson Joseph Chikalipo said a safe operating environment was key in the aviation industry.
“I can assure you that Malawi Airlines will be ready to plan flights as soon as the works are completed by ADL/Civil Aviation Authority,” he said.
