By Mabuchi Chunga
Malawi Airlines says it has suspended international flights until further notice following restrictions that have been put in place in various countries where the airline operates as precautionary measures against the coronavirus.
Malawi Airlines Public Relations Officer Joseph Josiah confirmed the development.
The suspension has been put in place to adhere to lockdowns that have been instituted in countries like Kenya and South Africa.
“We have suspended flights to Nairobi in Kenya on 25 March this is following a decree from Kenya that starting midnight on 25 March there will be a lockdown in the country,” said Josiah.
He further went to say that they will have their last flights to South Africa on the 26th March this is also in line with a pronouncement from South Africa that the country will be on lockdown from 27 March 2020.
“To South Africa our last flights will be on the 26 of March as you are aware the South African Government has announced a lockdown that will start on the 27 March,”said Josiah.
Commenting on the same development Chancellor College based economist Professor Ben Kalua, hinted at the Malawi suffering from global shock because it relies heavily on imports.
“This is a global shock that is affecting global economies which are also heading into recession and Malawi is in big trouble because we rely heavily on imports and we will be in big trouble until this situation blows over,” said Kalua.
