Moçambique Expresso (MEX), a subsidiary of LAM, has resumed domestic and regional flights after reaching a debt payment agreement with Embraer, allowing access to the Brazilian manufacturer’s technical support. MEX will pay Embraer 1.17 million USD in 17 installments until January 2025 to settle its debt for the acquisition of regional jets. Although MEX still faces operational and financial challenges, its C9-MEX aircraft has successfully operated more than 35 flights for LAM, covering multiple destinations. MEX has operated several regional and domestic flights for LAM with a fleet of EMB-145 jets. However, on August 30, the subsidiary was forced to suspend operations amid cash shortages, conflicts and significant debt accumulation. Agreement with Embraer Debts accumulated over the years prevented the company from receiving sufficient services from manufacturers and suppliers. MEX still owed Embraer more than 1 million USD for the acquisition of its regional jets. The airline’s management previously acknowledged that this limited its opportunities to request technical support from the Brazilian manufacturer. However, according to an internal communication signed by the company’s general director, Faustino Massitela, and seen by Lusa, the parties reached an agreement on a debt settlement plan. MEX will pay Embraer around US$1.17 million USD, in 17 installments, until January 2025. Massitela confirmed that MEX regained access to the FlyEmbraer platform last Tuesday following the agreement signed with the manufacturer. FlyEmbraer is a platform that offers Embraer commercial aviation customers access to tools and services to manage safe and efficient fleet operations. Moçambique Expresso has two EMB-145MP in its fleet, registration C9-MEK and C9-MEX, operated in the service of LAM. Before MEX ceased operations on 30 August, its last flight was from Lusaka Kenneth Kaunda Airport (LUN) to Maputo International Airport (MPM), via Harare Robert Gabriel Mugabe Airport (HRE). The regional jet remained inactive for two weeks before taking off again on September 13th with a domestic flight between Maputo and Beira (BEW). Although MEX was able to resolve one of the problems that led to the suspension of its services, the carrier still faces several operational and financial challenges. According to the General Director, the underutilization of the MEX fleet significantly reduces its ability to generate revenue to support its costs. Furthermore, LAM has not been able to channel enough money to the subsidiary while facing its own challenges.(Letter) Source: Carta de Moçambique
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