LAM Mozambique Airlines Suspends Flights to Harare...

LAM Mozambique Airlines Suspends Flights to Harare, Lusaka Due to Heavy Losses

Zim Now Writer

LAM Mozambique Airlines (Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique) has suspended its only intercontinental route to Lisbon, along with regional flights to Harare, Zimbabwe, and Lusaka, Zambia, after accumulating losses of $21.3 million on these routes.

Speaking at a press conference on February 18, airline spokesperson Alfredo Cossa confirmed that LAM is also reconsidering the future of its Maputo-Cape Town route, currently operated with a leased CRJ900 aircraft from South Africa’s CemAir.

The Maputo-Lisbon service, relaunched in December 2023 after a 13-year hiatus, has lost $21 million. The route, operated using leased B767-300ER and previously a B777-200ER from euroAtlantic Airways, faced frequent delays and cancellations—likely due to late lease payments.

Initially reintroduced with discounted fares under the temporary management of Fly Modern Ark, the route's operations relied on domestic market revenue, which the airline could no longer sustain.

LAM's flights to Lusaka and Harare, operated by its subsidiary MEX – Mocambique Expresso using an E145 aircraft (C9-MEH), were also deemed financially unviable. These routes resulted in losses of $307 000.

The last Maputo-Lusaka-Harare-Maputo flight took place on January 5, while a final Maputo-Quelimane-Lusaka flight was flown on January 12.

The cancellations are part of LAM’s restructuring plan aimed at improving financial stability. The Mozambican government, which owns the airline, is preparing to sell a 91% stake in LAM to public companies to strengthen its finances.

Additionally, the government has launched an international fleet renewal tender, inviting 14 companies to submit proposals by March 5 for three E190s and four B737-700s.