Mozambique: LAM receives two refurbished Embraer E190 aircraft from South Africa

“The aircraft are in excellent technical condition and are expected to join the airline’s commercial operations in approximately three weeks, following the completion of the regulatory and operational procedures required for their entry into service,” LAM said in a statement. According to the statement, LAM already has properly trained and qualified flight crews, as well as all the technical and operational conditions necessary to bring the aircraft into service, in strict compliance with safety and efficiency standards. “The incorporation of these two Embraer aircraft marks an important milestone in the renewal and strengthening of the national carrier’s fleet, contributing to increased operational capacity, more stable flight operations, improved schedule reliability and the gradual enhancement of the quality of services provided to passengers,” the statement said.

LAM explained that the acquisition of these aircraft forms part of the airline’s recovery and transformation plan, aimed at modernising the company, strengthening its competitiveness and providing an increasingly safe, efficient and reliable air transport service. On 29 May, Lusa reported that two of the four aircraft acquired by LAM as part of the airline’s restructuring process had been grounded in South Africa for several months while undergoing refurbishment. “They are not operating because, as we explained, the aircraft were going to be repainted, and the repainting is part of LAM’s new image.

For us, LAM’s new image does not simply mean repainting the aircraft; it also means changing a series of procedures within the company,” Agostinho Langa, chairman of the board of Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM), one of the three companies managing the airline, said at the time. According to the 2025 General State Account (CGE), recently approved by the government and submitted to Parliament for consideration, four aircraft were acquired during 2025 as part of the restructuring plan, namely two Bombardier Q400s and two Embraer 190s, and “LAM’s shares were registered with the Central Securities Depository”. LAM has faced operational problems for several years due to a limited fleet and a lack of investment, and is currently undergoing a restructuring process.

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Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB) approved the acquisition of a 25.2% stake in LAM in 2025 as part of the airline’s restructuring, followed by Empresa Moçambicana de Seguros (Emose) and Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM), each acquiring a 15.4% stake. According to the 2025 General State Account, HCB approved an investment of US$36 million (€30.8 million) in the restructuring process and the creation of Fly Moz, an entity with the “objective of securing financing for LAM”. Insurer Emose approved an investment of US$22 million (€18.8 million), “thereby becoming the holder of a 15.40% stake in LAM’s shareholding structure”, as did Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM), according to the General State Account. A year ago, plans were announced to sell 91% of LAM’s share capital, but the transactions completed so far account for only 56% of the airline’s shareholding structure.

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