As a result of the closure of the main runway at the Chileka International Airport in Blantyre, Malawi from 24 April to 24 July 2019, the SAA’s operations have been affected.
In a statment released by the airline, it said that the aircraft size, which SAA operates to Blantyre, does not fit in the required categories/classes of the secondary runway, which will remain operational.
Accordingly, SAA’s operations to Blantyre have been cancelled, for Wednesday, 24 April 2019 and Saturday, 27 April 2019. However, contingency plans have been put in place for smaller aircraft, operated by SA Express to operate this route, with the exception of the Wednesday and Saturday flights.
“We have implemented contingency plans by using the SA Express’ Q400 turboprop aircraft to continue with SAA’s scheduled operations with the exception of the 24th and 27th April 2019, whereon no scheduled operation will be available to/from Blantyre. “We apologise to our valued passengers and customers for the inconvenience caused by these cancellations,” says Tlali Tlali, SAA Spokesperson.
SAA operates a three weekly service between Johannesburg and Blantyre (Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays). The airport authorities notified SAA that the main runway will be closed from 24 April to 23