Maputo, Mozambique, 22 Feb – The Mozambican airport network will require estimated investments of US$500 million over the next three years, according to figures published in Maputo during the national meeting of airport management company Aeroportos de Moçambique.

The newspaper said that part of that investment was already being used for construction of new airports in Pemba, Nacala and Tete, as well as for modernisation of Maputo International Airport, and so far around US$200 million has been invested in the airport system.

The chairman of Aeroportos de Moçambique, Manuel Veterano, said that the investments were expected to help to increase the usage rate of the Mozambican airport system, both in terms of number of passengers and in terms of cargo, but noted that in 2011 the number of domestic passengers had fallen after rises posted in 2009 and 2010.

Veterano explained that the fall in the number of domestic passengers was because Mozambican airline LAM was facing difficulties, in terms of its aircraft, as well as being due to the high cost of tickets.

However, the overall number of passengers has risen 13 percent in the last three years, driven by 43.8 percent and 11.6 percent growth in regional and international passengers, respectively, as well as being the result of new operators in the market.

Veterano also said that this year the second phase of modernisation of Maputo International Airport would be finished and the start of test operations at the domestic terminal would begin. He also noted that construction of Nacala airport was also due to begin. (macauhub)