Mozambique’s state-owned airline, Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (LAM), warned on Monday, 6 July, that adverse weather conditions affecting Maputo International Airport have caused flight delays. The poor weather prevented several aircraft from landing safely, forcing flights to be diverted to the city of Beira in central Mozambique.
In a statement cited by Lusa, the national carrier said that “adverse weather conditions” were recorded on Sunday afternoon and during the early hours of Monday, preventing some aircraft from landing safely at Maputo International Airport.
“For safety reasons, the Nampula–Maputo and Quelimane–Maputo flights were diverted to Beira Airport, where they landed safely,” the airline said. The diversions have disrupted the company’s flight operations.
According to LAM, the disruptions are affecting several arriving and departing flights in Maputo and may result in delays, schedule changes and other operational adjustments. The airline said that the return to normal operations will depend on improvements in weather conditions at the capital’s airport.
“The safety of our passengers, crew members and aircraft remains LAM’s highest priority. All operational decisions are made in accordance with civil aviation regulations and international safety procedures,” the company stressed.
LAM added that its teams continue to monitor weather conditions in coordination with airport authorities and air traffic control services to ensure that operations resume “as safely and as quickly as possible.”
“LAM regrets the inconvenience caused by this situation, which is beyond its control, and thanks all passengers for their understanding, patience and cooperation,” the statement concluded.
This is the latest in a series of operational disruptions announced by the airline this year.
On 30 April, LAM announced it would reschedule flights due to “operational constraints,” which resulted in delays, timetable changes and the postponement of domestic and regional services. A few days earlier, on 26 April, the airline had also rescheduled flights between Maputo and Inhambane because of “technical and operational constraints.”
Currently operating a fleet of seven aircraft, LAM has faced operational challenges for several years due to its limited fleet size and chronic underinvestment. The airline has also experienced several non-fatal incidents, which aviation experts have linked to inadequate aircraft maintenance, while the company continues to undergo a comprehensive restructuring process.
Source: Diário Económico
