The chairman of the management committee of Mozambique’s state airline, LAM (Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique), Dane Kondic, was recently appointed chairman of the board of directors of Air Botswana, a development sparking debate in Mozambican public opinion.
In a statement, the Botswanan airline introduced its new board of directors, now headed by Kondic. “Air Botswana welcomes its new board. Their appointment marks a new chapter in the airline’s journey of service, resilience, and national pride,” the statement read.
In response, LAM stated that Kondic must work under an “exclusive regime” with the Mozambican airline, ensuring full commitment to its restructuring process.
In a note shared with Diário Económico, LAM revealed that it had held a meeting to assess potential conflicts of interest, considering that both airlines operate in the regional market, which is viewed as a strategic axis for LAM’s expansion.
“As a result of the meeting, the board decided that Dane Kondic must perform his duties at LAM exclusively, a resolution that he has accepted,” the company clarified.
LAM further stated that discussions are underway with Kondic to facilitate the implementation of this decision, deemed essential for the continuity of his leadership at the company.
“LAM maintains full confidence in Dane Kondic’s technical, strategic, and leadership capabilities, recognizing his key role in the airline’s recovery and modernization,” the note concluded.
In May, the Mozambican State Holding Company (IGEPE) decided at an extraordinary general meeting to dismiss the former LAM chairman, Marcelino Gildo Alberto, along with directors of Finance, Human Resources, Corporate Services (Altino Xavier Mavile), and Technical and Operations (Bruno Miranda).
A new non-executive board and a management committee were appointed, led by Dane Kondic and made up of representatives from the state-owned companies that became shareholders of LAM this year: CFM (Ports and Railways of Mozambique), HCB (Cahora Bassa Hydroelectric), and EMOSE (Mozambican Insurance Company).
LAM has faced operational challenges for years due to a limited fleet, lack of investment, and a series of non-fatal incidents, which experts have linked to poor aircraft maintenance.
The airline’s financial losses were:
- 2021: MZN 1.4 billion (~$21.7M)
- 2022: MZN 448.6 million (~$6.9M)
- 2023: MZN 3.9 billion (~$60.5M)
- 2024: MZN 2.2 billion (~$34.1M)
In February, the government announced the sale of 91% of the state’s shares in the airline via private negotiation. The estimated $130 million expected from the sale will go toward acquiring eight new aircraft and further restructuring the company.
Dane Kondic, an Australian executive born in Sydney with Serbian roots, brings vast experience in global civil aviation. He was the first CEO of Air Serbia and held leadership roles at EuroAtlantic, Qantas, Malaysia Airlines, Sabre Airline Solutions, Abacus International, GTA (Travelport), and Kuoni Travel (China).
By Cleusia Chirindza
