Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (LAM) announced today that it will start offering direct flights between Johannesburg, South Africa, and Inhambane, the capital of the province of the same name, which is one of the main tourist destinations in Mozambique.
According to information released by the state airline, the first direct flight on this route will take place this Friday, with LAM also offering connections on Wednesdays and Sundays.
In August, when the return of this route was announced, Mozambique's Minister of Culture and Tourism emphasized the importance of this connection, as Inhambane is the “main leisure destination” in the country.
Minister Eldevina Materula noted that the restart of LAM flights on this route is a significant step, as it helps to consolidate and promote national tourism, opening up perspectives for the participation of more Mozambican players in the tourism sector.
The province of Inhambane is known for its stunning 700-kilometer coastline, with crystal-clear beaches and green coastal dunes. It is home to 789 tourism enterprises that employ around 7,000 workers, contributing approximately 10% of the total of 8,154 enterprises and 70,718 workers in the sector across the country.
Furthermore, LAM plans to resume flights from Maputo to Lisbon on November 20, as announced by the administrator of the South African company that the Government of Mozambique has managed the company since April.
The executive director of South African Fly Modern Ark (FMA), Theunis Crous, stated that this route is vital and will bring a significant transformation to the company. Furthermore, the company is negotiating the lease of a Boeing 737 freighter to transport cargo within and outside the country, which represents a profitable opportunity.
These initiatives are part of LAM's strategy to revitalize the company after years of operational problems. The company seeks to expand its routes, increase the number of passengers and strengthen its position in the airline market, representing an important step towards the development of Mozambique's aviation sector.
