Mozambique Turns to Ethiopian Airlines Know-How to Breathe New Life Into LAM
A significant development is taking shape in Southern African aviation. Mozambique's government has entered into discussions with Ethiopian Airlines, the continent's largest and most successful carrier, to support the long-running effort to restructure and modernise the national airline, Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique, commonly known as LAM. The talks focus on pilot training, operational expertise and the possible introduction of Ethiopian-operated flights to key regions within the country.
This is not the first time these two aviation names have crossed paths. Between 2018 and 2021, Ethiopian Airlines operated a subsidiary called Ethiopian Mozambique Airlines, which connected the capital Maputo to nine domestic destinations before eventually ceasing all operations. That earlier venture was part of Ethiopian's ambitious Vision 2025 expansion strategy, which aimed to boost connectivity across the African continent. The fresh round of engagement suggests both sides see value in picking up where that earlier chapter left off, though under a different framework this time around.
For LAM, the need for outside support is real and urgent. The airline has been battling fleet constraints, financial difficulties and operational downsizing for several years. A consultancy firm, Knighthood Global, has already been brought in to advise on restructuring the airline's financial base and to help evaluate and select aircraft suited to its operational needs. At the same time, the Mozambican government has ordered a forensic audit covering the past decade of LAM's accounts, a process that is expected to lead to a reduction in staff numbers from the current figure of around 800.
The government, as majority shareholder of LAM, has publicly committed to revitalising the carrier and ensuring it becomes financially viable with modernised services. Officials have framed the restructuring as a strategic opportunity not just for the airline itself, but for the broader national economy. A stronger LAM could help increase passenger numbers, expand tourism, grow cargo transportation, strengthen ties with the Mozambican diaspora, attract foreign currency and ultimately contribute more to the country's gross domestic product.
Bringing Ethiopian Airlines into the conversation adds a layer of credibility and practical experience that few other partners on the continent could offer. Ethiopian has built a reputation as Africa's aviation success story, with the widest network of any African carrier and deep expertise in areas such as pilot training, maintenance and route development. For Mozambique, tapping into that knowledge base could accelerate the skills transfer needed to rebuild LAM into a competitive operator, particularly on domestic and regional routes where demand exists but service has been limited.
There is also a broader lesson here for the African travel industry. The days when national carriers tried to go it alone are fading. Across the continent, airlines are recognising that collaboration, partnerships and shared expertise offer a more realistic path to sustainability than isolation. Whether through joint ventures, management agreements or training partnerships, African carriers are increasingly looking to each other for solutions rather than solely turning to partners outside the continent.
For travel professionals across sub-Saharan Africa, the LAM restructuring story is one worth following closely. Mozambique is a destination with enormous untapped potential — from the beaches of the Bazaruto Archipelago to the wildlife reserves of the north. But without reliable and affordable air connectivity, much of that potential remains out of reach for international visitors. A revitalised LAM, supported by Ethiopian Airlines' proven track record, could change that picture significantly in the years ahead.
The travel trade should keep a close eye on how these discussions develop. If the partnership moves from dialogue to action, it could reshape domestic and regional air travel in Mozambique and open up fresh selling opportunities for agents across the region.
