LAM’s inaugural flight from Maputo landed in Cape Town on Tuesday, which the airline says is part of its strategy to be a “strong competitor in the region”.

LAM has undergone a recent restructuring process and is currently expanding its routes and connections. Also launching on Tuesday was its Maputo-Lisbon flight, the first of a number of inter-continental routes it is currently eyeing.

Speaking at the launch event at Cape Town International Airport, LAM Commercial Director, Firmino Naftal said the launch of two new routes meant it was a great day for the airline.

The three times weekly Maputo to Cape Town flight targets both the leisure and the business segments. Naftal said the inaugural flight had a load factor of about 40-50%, but through competitive pricing, starting from R4 260 (€210) and additional sales and marketing efforts, he believed this would increase.

The flight departs Maputo on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and returns from Cape Town on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Cristovao Gemo, Consul General of Mozambique in Cape Town, said the launch of the route was more than just a convenient mode of transport, but was a bridge between the two nations, fostering greater cultural exchange, trade and tourism.

“Cape Town, known for its breathtaking landscapes, rich history and warm hospitality, has long been a sought-after destination for travellers from all corners of the globe. On the other hand, Maputo with its pristine beaches, vibrant markets and rich culinary diversity offers an experience that is both enriching and unforgettable,” he said.

Aviation Liaison for the Cape Town Air Access project, Paul Van den Brink, said data showed that 22 000 passengers travelled from Maputo to Cape Town between January and December in 2019. Data for 2023 shows that this figure was reached by September, indicating 36% growth over the first nine months.

Van den Brink added that while Lisbon was a very large outbound destination for Cape Town, the city did not currently have a Lisbon flight. The launch of LAM’s Lisbon flight, which the airline said aligned with the Cape Town connections, therefore meant that there were opportunities.

Regional GM of Cape Town International Airport, Mark Maclean, said the new LAM passengers would add to the 9 000 international travellers making their way through the airport daily during the peak season.

“Our role as the airports company and our commitment to you is to make sure that we continue to support you, we continue to help you grow, and we continue to help you increase your passenger volumes and load factors.”

In its bid to grow its regional presence, LAM recently established flights between Johannesburg and Inhambane, Vilankulo and Beira, with plans to launch a flight between Johannesburg’s Lanseria Airport and Mozambique’s Xai-Xai. It has also recently launched flights to Lusaka in Zambia with a stop-over in Harare.

Naftal also said work was under way to introduce flights to Nairobi and Lilongwe.