Airlink (South Africa) (4Z, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) says it is optimistic Mozambican authorities will soon resolve problems blocking the repatriation of its ticket sales from the country, after warning it may halt ticket distribution through local travel agents.
CEO de Villiers Engelbrecht reported "encouraging developments" following high-level meetings with Mozambican banking and government officials. "On the basis of these good faith and frank discussions, we are optimistic that Mozambique’s authorities will swiftly provide a solution enabling Airlink to expedite the repatriation of its revenues generated from sales in that market," he said in a statement shared with ch-aviation.
On August 20, the airline sent a letter, later leaked to local media, to Noor Momade, president of the country's association of travel agents and tour operators (Associação dos Agentes de Viagens e Operadores Turisticos de Moçambique - AVITUM), saying that persistent difficulties in repatriating funds were placing "considerable strain" on its operations and threatening the sustainability of its flights to Mozambique. The carrier warned it was "seriously considering" halting ticket sales through local booking channels unless the issue was resolved.
Airlink operates 58 return flights per week between South Africa and Mozambique linking the capital Maputo with Johannesburg O.R. Tambo (21 frequencies) and Cape Town International (four), while connecting Beira, Nampula, Pemba, MZ, and Tete with Johannesburg, plus daily connections to Vilanculos from Johannesburg and 4x weekly from Mbombela.
On August 26, government spokesman Inocêncio Impissa told reporters that the issue was management, and not a matter for state intervention. The government should not meddle in businesses’ operations, he said, adding that its role is to provide space for entities to function freely rather than intervene in day-to-day management, as cited by Maputo-based news portal MZNews.
Mozambique is the worst offender globally in blocking airline funds, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). By the end of April 2025, the country was withholding USD205 million from airlines, up from USD127 million in October 2024.
IATA’s director general, Willie Walsh, has warned that delays and denials in revenue repatriation not only violate bilateral agreements but also increase exchange rate risks, threatening international connectivity, and economic stability. "Governments must realise that it is a challenge for airlines to maintain connectivity when revenue repatriation is denied or delayed," he said.
