The New Mzuzu Airport Plans Shelved
The government’s decision to expand the existing Mzuzu Airport has sparked widespread disappointment among Northern Region residents, dashing hopes of a new, modern facility.
Despite calls for a state-of-the-art airport, the government has opted to extend the runway of the current airport to accommodate larger aircraft, adjacent to the busy Zigwagwa market.
Aviation officials and residents have expressed concerns that the airport’s proximity to the market, residential areas, and the M1 Road poses a significant risk to people’s lives.
“Extending the airport without relocating the surrounding infrastructure is a recipe for disaster,” warned an aviation official, who wished to remain anonymous.
Proposals to relocate the market, residents, and the road have been put forward to ensure safety. However, efforts to seek clarification from the Ministry of Transport and the leadership of the nearby Zigwagwa market have been unsuccessful.
The decision to upgrade the airport has been met with criticism from civil society organizations, which have long advocated for a new, modern airport in Mzuzu.
The government’s choice to extend the runway to 1500 meters, similar to the Karonga Airfield, has done little to alleviate concerns about safety and accessibility, raising questions about the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of its citizens.
The concerns are not unfounded, given the airport’s history of accidents, on April 24, 2006, a plane carrying Malawi’s Second Vice-President, late Chakufwa Chihana, crashed into a car adjacent to the runway, fortunately without causing any fatalities.
