According to the websites timesaerospace.aero and ch-aviation.com, the international consultancy Knighthood Global, based in Abu Dhabi and led by James Hogan, former CEO of the Etihad Airways group, has been formally appointed by the Government of Mozambique to lead the revitalisation of LAM – Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique, and of the country's civil aviation sector.
The Mozambican national airline, chronically loss-making, has for years faced operational instability, aircraft unavailability, frequent changes in senior management, suspended routes and a fleet reduced to four aircraft: two Embraer EMB-145s, one Bombardier CRJ900 and one Boeing 737-500, all operating from Maputo International Airport.
LAM, which is suffering chronic losses and operational instability, currently operates with only four aircraft – two Embraer EMB-145s, one Bombardier CRJ900 and one Boeing 737-500 – from Maputo International Airport. In recent years the company has faced successive changes of leadership, route cancellations and fleet unavailability.
In an official statement, Knighthood Global said the initial objective will be to "stabilise and reposition" the airline in the first three months of the intervention. This work will be carried out in coordination with LAM's new shareholders: Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique (CFM) and Empresa Moçambicana de Seguros (EMOSE), who are also responsible for the replacement and modernisation of the fleet.
The consultancy stresses that coordination between stakeholders and good governance will be essential pillars of the process, in order to restore confidence and define a unified strategy for the transformation of the company. The plan also aims to strengthen national and international air connectivity, supporting key sectors such as tourism, mining, oil and agriculture.
This intervention is part of a series of projects that Knighthood Global has been carrying out in Africa, including similar missions in Zimbabwe and Tanzania. In 2023, the consultancy joined the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) as a full member.
“Africa is going through a phase of unprecedented growth and transformation,” said James Hogan. “We are excited to contribute to this evolution by promoting safe, sustainable and economically viable aviation.”
Knighthood has a significant track record in restructuring public and private companies, as demonstrated by the case of Air Malta, whose relaunch plan was drawn up in collaboration with Deloitte UK and Sabre, and approved by the European Union following the crisis caused by the pandemic. That project was completed at the end of 2024.
More recently, Knighthood was chosen as strategic consultant to the British start-up Global Airlines, where it will also take an equity stake. The firm will support the next steps in obtaining the UK operating licence and launching operations with Airbus A380 aircraft.
