Mozambique has launched the public consultation process for its Civil Aviation Master Plan (2026–2045), with the event officially opened in Maputo by the Minister of Transport and Logistics, João Matlombe. The consultation marks a significant step in the government’s efforts to address long-standing structural challenges in the aviation sector.
During the launch, the Minister highlighted persistent issues affecting airport infrastructure, including years of disinvestment and ongoing security concerns. He emphasised that while the Mozambican Civil Aviation Institute (IACM) plays an essential regulatory role, the broader aviation ecosystem has not functioned cohesively. According to Matlombe, it is impossible for infrastructure, operators, regulators and airlines to perform effectively in isolation; sector-wide complementarity is required.
He noted that an initial assessment of Mozambique’s airports revealed misaligned visions and guiding principles from an infrastructure standpoint. The government is therefore stepping back to reassess the system, particularly in light of repeated withdrawals of private operators from the domestic market. Matlombe questioned why operators have been unable to remain in the national aviation ecosystem and underscored the dysfunction created by domestic competition between LAM and MEX, which operate on overlapping routes while other parts of the country remain underserved.
The Minister also pointed to structural planning issues, observing that the aviation network has historically been planned from Maputo. He raised the possibility of more practical alternatives, including planning from central regions or adopting regional route models previously used in the past.
Matlombe stressed that the State cannot merely react to operator decisions and issue authorisations. Instead, it must guide and organise the system to meet national needs, including evaluating tariffs to ensure fairness and preventing inflated pricing. Licensing entities, he argued, must have business plans and tariff structures that allow regulators to assess cost justification and profit margins effectively.
He also cited major infrastructure challenges, noting that airports such as Nacala and Filipe Jacinto Nyusi remain idle “white elephants” despite being among the country’s best facilities. Ad hoc solutions are no longer viable, and a structured concession model is needed to attract investment, restore traffic and ensure sustainability. As all aviation infrastructure belongs to the State, Matlombe stressed the need for a clear policy direction to ensure that airports become functional and profitable assets.
The launch of the Civil Aviation Master Plan consultation underscores Mozambique’s commitment to restructuring its aviation sector, addressing mismanagement and establishing a coherent, long-term framework for sustainable growth and improved national connectivity.
