Solenta Aviation Mozambique is ready to launch domestic passenger flights in Mozambique, however operations have stalled as the group awaits the issuance of its scheduled operator's licence.
The flights, which will be operated under the fastjet brand by Solenta Aviation Mozambique, are planned between key destinations within the country. However, the group is waiting for the government to complete assessments and reforms before it can begin operations.
“We have complied with all the requirements, and effectively we're just waiting for the scheduled operator's licence to be issued. The government hasn't responded to us officially, but at a press conference, they mentioned that they are going through reforms in the aviation industry and as soon as that's completed, they will issue our licence or let us know what else needs to be done. We don't know what the reforms are – if we comply or if we don’t,” said Brian Holmes, MD of Solenta Aviation Mozambique.
Government hits the brakes
At the press conference last week, covered by Club of Mozambique, Mozambique’s government spokesman, Inocêncio Impissa, addressed the licensing issues. “We will soon have specific information about Solenta Aviation, and the authorities will issue its licence as soon as the conditions have been met. This is because the work being done will benefit Solenta and any other private operator that wishes to operate in Mozambique. This reform should benefit the business environment in Mozambique and enhance the business environment for all potential operators.”
Solenta Aviation Mozambique says it has already received sign-off from civil aviation authorities and has aircraft and crew in place. “One of the requirements, which is unusual by civil aviation, was that we signed supply contracts, and have them in place with all our suppliers, which includes catering and handling. Our GSA is in place. Our GSAs have hired new regional officers in the provinces, they've contracted officers in airports, so everything is in place; we’re just waiting for a piece of paper,” said Holmes.
Previous operations
The airline previously operated flights in Mozambique between 2017 and 2019. Services were suspended following the entry of Ethiopian Airlines, which led to an oversupply of services, as well as COVID-19. With conditions now more favourable, the airline is ready to relaunch its services.
“We waited a couple of years post-COVID, anticipating that possibly Ethiopian Airlines or someone else would have come back, but nothing happened. We've also seen a stabilisation of the economy, so we thought it was a good time,” said Holmes.
In phase one, Solenta Aviation Mozambique will operate four routes – Maputo-Beira, Maputo-Nampula, Maputo-Tete, and Maputo-Quelimane. The group plans to expand with Johannesburg to Inhambane and Johannesburg-Maputo-Vilanculos in the future.
However, there is no indication of when these services can begin. “We applied for our scheduled air operator's licence, there was a set of guidelines, we've complied with that, we've been audited and we've prepared everything. We haven't been given a date or a timeline on how long this process will take,” said Holmes.
Currently, Mozambique’s domestic air market is served only by LAM, which suspended most international flights as part of its restructuring plan.
