The government stated on Tuesday, August 5, that the plan to acquire Boeing aircraft for the state-owned airline LAM (Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique) remains ongoing, despite the launch of a tender to lease five aircraft, announced on July 31. The measure aims to ensure the continuity of air transport services in the country, according to Lusa news agency.
“While the aircraft purchase process is underway, it’s important that air transport services do not come to a halt. It seems faster to lease one or two planes, allowing the standard purchase process to proceed,” said government spokesperson Inocêncio Impissa, following a Council of Ministers meeting held in Maputo on Tuesday, August 5.
The tender launched by LAM is for the short-term wet lease of up to five aircraft. A wet lease includes the aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance. The move responds to growing demand for air services both domestically and regionally, driven by projects in the energy, oil, gas, and tourism sectors. The tender is open until August 22 to both national and international companies.
According to Impissa, the aircraft acquisition plan is proceeding in parallel with LAM’s restructuring and ongoing flight operations using leased aircraft.
LAM has faced operational challenges for several years, mainly due to a limited fleet and lack of investment, and is currently undergoing restructuring. On June 22, President Daniel Chapo stated that this restructuring process would extend to other state-owned enterprises that do not generate revenue for the government.
On May 13, the Institute for the Management of State Holdings (Igepe) announced the replacement of LAM’s management, appointing a management committee led by Dane Kondic. A non-executive board of directors was also created, including representatives from Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), Mozambique Ports and Railways (CFM), and Mozambican Insurance Company (Emose)—now shareholders in LAM.
The consultancy Knighthood Global, hired to oversee LAM’s restructuring, stated in May that it has a three-month window to stabilize and reposition the airline. In June, the same consultancy launched a tender for up to five Boeing 737-700 aircraft, the results of which have yet to be announced.
Source: Diário Económico
