■ MALAWI: United Arab Emirates, Malawi to finalize BASA in coming months.

Malawi and the United Arab Emirates are set to sign a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) in the coming weeks following a visit to the Southern African country by an Emirati delegation led by Mr. Khalid Ghanim Al Ghaith, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for Economic Affairs from the10th to 11th May, 2013.

A British Airways VC10 at Blantyre Chileka
 International in the 70s (unknown)

According to an official communique released following the delegations departure, during the meeting, both sides acknowledged the existing cordial bilateral relations existing between the two nations, which date back 1996 and stressed on ways of further strengthening the relations for the mutual benefit of both countries. 

"It was agreed that the two sides would shortly conclude agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in various sectors. The United Arab Emirates will submit to Malawi the following Agreements: Technical Cooperation; Economic Cooperation; Avoidance of Double Taxation; Protection  and Promotion of Investment; Labour; and Bilateral Air Services."

In January this year, Malawi's Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Economic, Ted Sitimawina, disclosed that British Airways (BA), Qatar Airways (QR) and Emirates (EK) had all expressed interest in starting flights to Malawi, though thus far, none has confirmed any plans to serve the country.

Emirates Skycargo began dedicated cargo flights to the Malawian capital, Lilongwe, in 2006.