Mozambique is not only a beautiful country with which we have the privilege to share a border; it is also currently one of Southern Africa’s fastest-growing investment destinations. Because of this, Qatar Airways has decided to introduce thrice-weekly flights to the capital of Maputo.
The flights from Doha to Maputo will make a stop in Johannesburg and are scheduled to commence on 31 October. This is according to a report on iAfrica Travel late last week.
Qatar Airlines’ chief executive, Akbar al-Baker, said that they are excited to introduce flights to places “where other carriers dare not venture to. Mozambique is a great example of a market that we believe has great potential linking up with key feeder markets in Europe, Asia and other parts of the world.”
Even though Mozambique is still one of the world’s poorest countries nearly two decades after a devastating civil war, they have recently been attracting a surprising amount of investment and these flights may well open the country up to the rest of the world.
South African Airways is currently the only local airline flying to Maputo. Both kulula.com and 1time launched flights to Mozambique last year, but have since pulled out of the route claiming that the government-imposed passenger quotas made it unprofitable.
On the international side, Portugal’s TAP, Angola’s TAAG, Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airways are currently flying in and out of Maputo.
*Photo courtesy of Scott Sherrin.
