The Minister of Transport and Logistics, João Matlombe, warns that free travel should be inhibited because it does not pay off financially and weakens the sustainability of Mozambique Airlines (LAM).

Speaking this Tuesday (09), in Maputo, at the parliamentary session to question the government, Matlombe said that the non-payment of airline tickets jeopardizes the current efforts to restructure the public airline.

"We can't expect different results by maintaining past practices. There are no miracles. The recovery of our flag carrier depends on collective commitment and responsibility," he said.

Matlombe was responding to a question from the parliamentary bench of the Democratic Movement of Mozambique (MDM), the third opposition party, which demands to know about the restructuring of LAM, including the sharing of the management contract signed with "Fly Morden Ark", and the accountability mechanisms.

The MDM bench also asked about the responsibility for the losses recorded by the company, as well as the technical and financial studies that recommend the entry of three public companies, namely Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB); Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM), and Empresa Moçambicana de Seguros (EMOSE), into LAM's share capital.

Quoted by AIM, the minister explained that last year, LAM recorded losses estimated at 35.65 million dollars, and in 2023 the bill was 62.15 million dollars, in 2022, the financial damage was around seven million dollars, and in 2021, the equivalent of 22.11 million dollars.

The government briefing continues today, Thursday (10).

(Photo DR)