As it was announced that the main runway at Chileka Airport would e ready by 24 July 2019, the runway is not yet ready as the maintenance project may complete next year.

Chileka Airport’s main runway RWY 10/28 was closed from 24 April, a development that hindered flight schedules, until an an ad-hoc schedule was organized to ensure that flights are taken on an alternative runway, RWY15/33.

 The alternate route is for smaller planes, but flights have been on schedule as Malawi Airlines announced acquiring new aircraft to facilitate flights, regardless of Chileka Airport’s main runway shutdown. While runway RWY 10/28 is being rehabilitated, RWY 15/33 will be available for smaller planes. Ensuring that Blantyre – Johannesburg flights are not affected, Malawi Airlines has acquired Bombardier Q400, as well as specifically for that purpose. The Boeing 737 was also assigned specifically for direct flights from Lilongwe to Johannesburg.

As the completion of RWY 10/28 will be later than the announced date, flights on the smaller planes will continue as efficient as normal. Inquiring more on the issue, Biznews learnt from an insider at Chileka Airport such a maintenance project usually takes one year to complete.