Minister of Transport and Public Works Jacob Hara has confirmed the purchase of new aircraft, a Boeing 737-800 by the Malawian Airlines.

According to Hara, the airline has taken this move following recent unprecedented growth in demand for air services, especially between Malawi and South Africa.

“Malawi Airlines has replaced their aircraft, the Boeing 737-700, with a bigger one, a Boeing 737-800. The airline has taken this move following recent unprecedented growth in demand for air services, especially between Malawi and South Africa.

“There has been an outcry from the travelling public failing to secure seats on the airline’s flights owing to high demand, resulting in many travellers having to route through either Addis Ababa in Ethiopia or Nairobi in Kenya, to get to or from South Africa. This is because Malawi Airlines has been the sole operator on the Lilongwe/Blantyre Johannesburg route.” Said Hara.

According to Hara, the bigger aircraft will alleviate the problem of space and they will therefore be able to serve their customers better.

The 800 series is a newer model and has space for 158 passengers while the older aircraft had 118 seats.