Former Malawi Defence Force (MDF) pilot Captain Henry Nthani today delivered a scathing assessment of Kamuzu International Airport (KIA), saying landing at Malawi’s main gateway is “like landing in the bush”.

He said the facility falls far short of the standards expected of an international airport.

Nthani made the remarks while appearing before the Parliamentary Ad-hoc Committee investigating the June 10, 2024 military plane crash that claimed the lives of Vice-President Saulos Chilima and eight others.

The former military aviator lamented what he described as years of underinvestment in critical aviation infrastructure, arguing that Malawi’s principal airport does not reflect the image of a country seeking to attract international visitors and investors.

His remarks have once again put the spotlight on the state of Kamuzu International Airport, the country’s main aviation gateway, which serves thousands of passengers every year and is often the first point of contact for tourists, investors and diplomats arriving in Malawi.

International airports are expected to meet globally accepted standards, including modern terminal facilities, efficient passenger handling systems, advanced navigation and communication equipment, robust safety and security measures, adequate runway infrastructure and quality customer services.

Aviation experts say the condition of an international airport often shapes a visitor’s first impression of a country and can influence tourism, trade and investment prospects.

Nthani has since called on authorities to modernise the country’s airports and procure new aircraft, saying Malawi urgently needs aviation facilities that meet international standards and project a positive image of the country to the outside world.