May 02, 2019: Malawian Airlines, a partnership between the Malawi government and Ethiopian Airlines, has taken delivery of a second Q400 aircraft.

The lease was prompted by the closure of the main runway at Blantyre Chileka International Airport during which only a shorter runway will be available. Jet operations are therefore not possible. So, in order to serve Johannesburg, and other destinations usually operated with jet aircraft, the airline opted to lease a turboprop aircraft.

Both Q400 aircraft now used by Malawian are configured in the two-class layout of business and economy.

Meanwhile, Malawian has started a non-stop flight to and from Lilongwe to Johannesburg using a B737-700NG.