The Transport and Public Infrastructure Committee of Parliament on Tuesday 2nd July engaged with the newly established Malawi Civil Aviation Authority (MCAA) at Sigelege Hotels in Salima
where the committee was briefed on the progress the authority is making since it officially opened its doors in October 2023.
During the meeting the Committee led by its Chairperson Hon. Enoch Phale MP and Vice Chairperson Hon. Susuwile Banda MP assured the MCAA that parliament through the committee is eager to see the MCAA in full operation within the nearest future to ensure that the country’s civil aviation is properly regulated.
Phale said that the committee would like to see the Authority getting enough financial support from government to allow it to fully establish and become independent of government.
The committee also expressed satisfaction with some achievements which the authority has made in the few months it has been operational.
Board Chairperson for MCAA Lymon Phesele applauded the committee for the engagement and commitment to support a speedy establishment process of MCAA.
“As Malawi Civil Aviation Authority we are happy that you called us for this interaction which has brought both sides to a common level of understanding and as stake holder we agreeing on the importance of having a functional authority for the civil aviation,” said Phesele.
Phesele said MCAA has engaged full gear to providing efficient and effective services even when it is in its infant stage.
“As a newly established organization were are still not big enough, but we are working to maintain service provision in all areas that we are mandated by the Civil Aviation act 2017,” said Phesele.
Phesele said that among other things the MCAA has already drafted relevant regulations for the aviation sector and it needs support from other stake holder including parliament to get them gazette.
The board chairperson informed the committee that since opening its doors MCAA has made some achievements including renewing Malawi Airlines Air Operator Certificate , Certified Rayoni Holdings Limited as the fourth Malawi registered operator to provide charter/scheduled flights (June 2024), Certified Flytech as the fifth Malawi registered operator to provide charter/scheduled flights (June 2024).
MCAA has also established two Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) with Mozambique (Nov 2023) & Saudi Arabia (May 2024)
Other notable achievements are the established a cooperative framework with the Republic of Zambia in conduct of Air Traffic Services and Search and Rescue (March 2024) Regulatory services and Issuance of licences to Majete, Liwonde and Tongole Aerodromes.
The Malawi Civil Aviation Authority has been established in accordance to the Civil Aviation act of 2017 and it has taken over the regulation powers that were previously under the Department of Civil aviation in the Ministry of Transport and Public Works.
The establishment of the MCAA is expected to bring sanity in the aviation sector as well as conformity to international standards based on charters and conventions which Malawi is a signatory.