By George Mponda

Karonga, January 30, Mana: Deputy Minister of Transport and Public Works Peter Dimba has said Karonga International Airport is ready to resume receiving scheduled flights after a 15-year wait.

Dimba said this Wednesday when he inspected Karonga International Airport in preparation for the resumption of flights in the northern region.

"Compared to Mzuzu Aiport, Karonga has a longer runway and what is remaining here is to resurface it with asphalt and erect a perimeter fence for security. I was talking with a flight safety officer from Malawi Airlines who told me that a Boeing 700 could land here.

"Unscheduled flights will resume in February and scheduled flights will start as soon as Mzuzu Airport is ready. In addition, partners from Kayelekera Uranium Mine run by Lotus Africa Limited have pledged to offer support for the airport to be fit to receive flights," Dimba said.

The Deputy Minister added that flights from Karonga International Airport will reduce the distances people travel to and from the district which is a mining and tourism hub.

Malawi Airlines Flight Safety Officer, Captain Frank Madzi said Karonga International Airport needs an additional fire truck and others.

"We intend to bring category five airplanes and these need the presence of two fire trucks but as for the other structures, these can be done while flights are landing and taking off from here," Madzi said.