Malawi Airlines could operate ten aircraft & widebodies by 2018

Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam sees his airline's latest venture, Malawi Airlines, operating up to ten aircraft by 2018. Speaking to RootsOnline, Mr Gebremariam says he sees the distinct possibility of the Malawian subsidiary operating widebodies as well. 

A joint venture between the Malawian government, Malawian private investors and Ethiopian Airlines, Malawi Airlines is scheduled to launch flights out of Blantyre and Lilongwe on January 1 using a B737-800 and a Dash 8-400 to serve Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and South Africa. 

On the issue of the airline's last piece of the African puzzle - a Central African hub - Mr Gebremariam said Kinshasa N'Djili still holds the strongest promise though Congo Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon "could also work as bases." Ethiopian already operates a successful West African venture, ASKY Airlines.

Source: CH-Aviation