Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 10 June – The liberalisation of the aviation market in Mozambique began this year and will continue gradually until it is concluded in 2010, the chairman of airline Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (LAM), José Viegas said in Kuala Lumpur.

On the sidelines of the general meeting of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which was held in the Malaysian capital from 7 to 9 June, said that the liberalisation had begin with the reciprocal opening up of countries in the Southern Africa region, with two operators on each side and added that it would be completed in 2010, also including air links to Portugal.

“Negotiations are underway with Portugal and the Mozambican government is interested in promoting the development of tourism, but the market is small,” he warned.

Although he said it was possible that new operators would enter the market (other than Portuguese airline TAP and LAM), Viegas noted that “liberalising only makes sense when the market reaches a certain critical mass that does not yet exist.”

The chief executive of TAP, Fernando Pinto, is also of a similar opinion, saying that Mozambique brings balance, not profit and the flight still travels on to Johannesburg so when the market opens up we are all going to lose out.” (macauhub)