Beira, Mozambique, Aug. 17, 2026 (Lusa) - The Secretary of State for Transport and Logistics on Monday called on flag carrier Mozambique Airlines (LAM) to increase the operational availability of its fleet, improve punctuality and reduce flight cancellations, in order to boost passenger confidence.
«The Government is closely monitoring LAM's recovery process. The arrival of these aircraft does not mark the end of the transformation process. On the contrary, it increases our responsibility. We must now demonstrate that this investment is delivering results. We need to increase the fleet's operational availability, improve punctuality and reduce cancellations,» said Chinguane Mabote.
Mabote was speaking at Beira International Airport, in the central province of Sofala, following the maiden flight of the second Embraer 190 aircraft, named «Zambeze», which began operations today, bringing the number of operational aircraft in the state-owned carrier's fleet to 10.
LAM is undergoing a major restructuring process, following several years marked by operational difficulties linked to the small size of its fleet and a lack of investment, as well as constant criticism of flight delays and cancellations for operational reasons.
Mabote stated that it is now up to the airline to make the best possible use of the resources at its disposal, particularly its expanded fleet, to ensure better services.
He also urged LAM to «boost passenger confidence and ensure that the airline moves towards a more sustainable financial position».
«This is what we expect from LAM's management and staff,» he added.
According to him, the government expects competent management focused on tangible results, emphasising that the entry into service of a further aircraft will help improve domestic connectivity, facilitating the movement of people and goods.
«When we talk about air transport, we are not just talking about aeroplanes. We are talking about a student who needs to get to a university in another province, a businessperson who needs to visit a client, a company that needs to send its technicians on assignment, a family that needs to travel, an investor who needs to reach a new region, and a tourist looking to explore our country,» he said.
LAM's fleet now comprises 10 operational aircraft, following the entry into service of a further Embraer 190 under the Air Mozambique brand.
The first of the two aircraft (each with 100 seats) began operations on Friday, having carried out an inaugural flight between Maputo and Nacala, in Nampula province, already under the new commercial name Air Mozambique.
The Government had previously indicated that the introduction of the new Air Mozambique brand and the expansion of the fleet form part of LAM's restructuring and recovery plan, aimed at increasing operational efficiency, ensuring the company's financial sustainability and improving the quality and reliability of the services provided to passengers.
Under the name Air Mozambique, the carrier is now adopting a new visual identity linked to the company's transformation strategy, launched a year ago as one of the priorities of Mozambican president Daniel Chapo.
On Tuesday, the chairman of LAM's management committee, Dane Kondic, stated that the company expects to operate 12 aircraft by the end of the year, compared with the three it had when the current management took office in May 2025.
As part of the restructuring process, Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB) acquired a 25.2% stake in the airline's share capital in 2025, whilst Empresa Moçambicana de Seguros (Emose) and Caminhos de Ferro de Mozambique (CFM) each now hold 15.4% each.
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