LAM (Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique

MOZAMBIQUE’S FLAG CARRIER

Airlines occupy a special role in the trade promotion activities. Although most cargo is still transported by ship and rail, there’s a reason that national airlines are called a country’s flag carrier. They present an outward image of the country which will be seen by millions. More than just a means to an end, the image they present has to portray several qualities: safety, efficiency, technologically advanced and more.

For Mozambique, this mantle is held by LAM (Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique), the national airline, which was founded in 1937. Andre Marime of LAM Cargo recently explained the role that LAM plays in Mozambique’s trade ecosphere. He tells us that LAM Cargo is now offering a full suite of cargo and courier services, reflecting the growth of demand for these services in Mozambique over the past few years.

One of the company’s current priorities is to explore new market opportunities. With its growing transport links to its neighbours, Mozambique has a regional catchment area of over 70 million people. LAM therefore has a central role to play in regional and not just national trade. This is reflected in the reopening of the Lisbon-Maputo route in August 2020. Of this, Mr. Marime says: “this is a significant addition to our cargo options, both for imports and exports.”

Air transport is an important component for any country which wishes to enhance its value-added trade. While commodities more easily flow across borders, high value-added trade such as services requires consultation and visits from foreign management teams. Universities will also benefit as their students spend semesters abroad and foreign professors come to Mozambique. LAM’s role here is therefore much larger than just cargo transport.

Of course, like everybody within the wider logistics industry, LAM has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, but strived to ensure that operations continued as normally as possible. Mr. Marime notes: “All efforts were made to continue working through the difficulties. For example, we have been working and operating only our domestic flights with significantly reduced shipments, meaning a reduction of traffic and consequently, revenue as well.”

In terms of practical steps being implemented by LAM, Mr. Marime points to the implementation of protocol which is now recognized internationally as standard procedure. He says: “LAM Cargo has introduced some restrictions on distance for all stakeholders involved in cargo services. For example,everyone has to obey a minimum

“Air transport is an important component for any country which wishes to enhance its value-added trade.”

“Africa is effectively the last frontier for modern air transport and this is reflected in the number of new airports currently being developed across the continent.”

distance of two meters with others, and we’ve created work group teams with some supervisors to ensure that everyone is using gel, and that there are masks being used by everybody in the cargo area.”

In the longer term, the Covid-19 pandemic should prove to be little more than a speed bump in LAM Cargo’s ongoing expansion. Several factors are working together to ensure this is the case. As Mr. Marime underlines: “We believe that once the government decides to change the procedures and rules of the repatriation flight, the market will have to change and LAM’s leadership is already defining some new features within the cargo business to respond to this.”

Africa is effectively the last frontier for modern air transport and this is reflected in the number of new airports currently being developed across the continent. From Mozambique to Tanzania, Zambia and Senegal, shiny new airports are being developed to cater for the coming demand. LAM Cargo is set to play a central role in this burgeoning new trade. Seeing the Mozambican livery on the runways of the world’s most famous runways will let the world know that LAM Cargo and Mozambique have truly arrived.

LAM (LINHAS AÉREAS DE MOÇAMBIQUE)

www.lam.co.mz