By Chisomo Phiri
South African Airways (SAA) on Thursday announced that it has resumed its direct flights between South Africa and Malawi, three years after the airline suspended its operations in the country.
The company said its flights will be flying twice weekly on flights between Johannesburg to Blantyre and Lilongwe and back to Johannesburg in its workhorse Airbus A320 aircraft.
Speaking at Chileka International Airport in Blantyre during an event marking the official resumption of their operations in the country, SAA Chief Executive Officer Professor John Lamola said the coming back of the airline into the country will help increase competition and also boost economic activities in the country.
On her part, Malawi High Commissioner to South Africa Stella Ndau said the resumption of the airline operations into the country will help increase Malawi’s accessibility to the rest of the world.
Minister of Tourism Vera Kamtukule said the government is recapitalising infrastructure in the aviation sector to create a conductive environment for airlines.
South African Airways is the flag carrier airline of the South African government.
Founded in 1934, the airline is headquartered in Airways Park at O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg operated a hub-and-spoke network, serving ten destinations in Africa.
The carrier joined Star Alliance in April 2006, making it the first African carrier to sign with one of the three major airline alliances.
 on Thursday announced that it has resumed its direct flights between South Africa and Malawi, three years after the airline suspended its operations…){kind=link}