Kenya Airways has received approval from the Government of the Republic of Malawi to begin flying into Chileka Airport in Blantyre effective June 3, 2013.

(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - May 1st, 2013 - Kenya Airways has received approval from the Government of the Republic of Malawi to begin flying into Chileka Airport in Blantyre effective June 3, 2013.
In a letter to the airline from Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Government of Malawi, Moffat Chitimbe, Kenya Airways was also given approval to resume 5th Freedom Traffic Rights on the Lilongwe-Lusaka sector.

“I am pleased to convey Government approval for your operations into Chileka Airport, Blantyre, and the exercise of 5th Freedom Traffic Rights on the Lilongwe-Lusaka sector as per your filed schedules effective 3rd June, 2013,” read the letter in part.

The approval of the 5th Freedom Traffic Rights follows an MOU signed between the Kenya and Malawi governments in 2008 which allows collaborative arrangements between designated carriers of both countries for their mutual benefit. Currently Malawi has no national carrier so Kenya Airways will be the sole operator in the meantime.

Receiving the good news, Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Titus Naikuni, thanked both the Kenya and Malawi governments for facilitating the approvals.

“We are delighted to get these approvals which will enable us to enhance our presence in the Southern African country while also supporting the development of the region through provision of efficient air transport services,” said Naikuni.

Having flights to Blantyre vastly increases itinerary options in the southern part of Malawi – where there is the greatest concentration of tourist attractions and lodges. Majete Wildlife Reserve, Mount Mulanje, Thyolo Tea Estates, Lengwe National Park, Zomba Plateau and Liwonde National Park are all closer to Blantyre than Lilongwe. And utilising both Lilongwe and Blantyre for access allows itineraries to be linear rather than circular, and avoids some of the more lengthy last-day transfers back to the airport.

The granting of the 5th Freedom Traffic Rights allows Kenya Airways to pick up passengers in Lusaka and drop them in Lilongwe and vice versa.

Kenya Airways flies 10 times every week to Lilongwe and will soon announce its schedule into Blantyre.

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