Malawi Airlines (3W, Lilongwe) along with parent Ethiopian Airlines (ET, Addis Ababa International), Kenya Airways (KQ, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta) and South African Airways (SA, Johannesburg O.R. Tambo) have been forced to suspend their flights to the Malawian economic hub of Blantyre after the airport's primary runway, 10/28 (2'325m), was found to be riddled with potholes.

Following weeks of heavy rains, an inspection of the runway's surface by the Malawian Department of Civil Aviation revealed two large potholes had formed. As result, the DCA condemned the strip until a contractor had been hired to complete the necessary repair work.

"We have alerted all airlines that there will be restricted landing at the airport because of major repair works on the main runway," Transport Minister Ulemu Chilapondwa told the Pan African News Agency.

Built during the colonial era, Chileka airport has suffered from neglect brought on by a lack of adequate funding.

In January, the government of Joice Banda signed a USD250million deal with China to redevelop Chileka into a regional hub capable of handling larger aircraft and increased movements. Among the projects goals are the construction of a new terminal as well as the lengthening of runway 10/28.