LAM Mozambique Appoints Global Experts for Airline Turnaround
LAM Mozambique Airlines has appointed aviation veteran Dane Kondić to lead its restructuring, marking the airline’s third management shake-up in ten months. Kondić, a former CEO of Air Serbia and euroAtlantic Airways, will chair a new management committee as the Mozambican government moves forward with a state-led rescue plan.
The move follows the appointment of Knighthood Global, led by former Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan, to oversee LAM’s transformation. Hogan and Kondić previously collaborated during Etihad’s strategic investment in Air Serbia.
LAM’s leadership overhaul includes the removal of chairman Marcelino Gildo Alberto and two directors, replaced by a new non-executive board representing state-owned stakeholders: Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM), and Empresa Moçambicana de Seguros (EMOSE). The management team now includes Lucas Antonio Francisco for administration and finance, and Hilário Devis Tembe for technical operations.
Knighthood Global will focus on stabilising the airline, re-establishing its fleet, and aligning stakeholders behind a unified strategy. The consultancy highlighted tourism, mining, oil, and agriculture as key sectors that LAM’s recovery could support.
LAM is burdened with USD 300 million in debt and plagued by operational setbacks, including reduced fleet size, frequent delays, and poor cost control. It currently operates four aircraft, mostly on wet lease. A previous restructuring attempt by Fly Modern Ark ended amid fraud allegations and limited results.
The new government has transferred 91% of LAM’s shares to three state-owned companies and canceled a tender for seven aircraft, citing corruption. A forensic audit is underway to guide the national carrier’s recovery.
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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, ch-aviation.com