Mozambican Airlines (LAM) has officially renewed its exclusive contract with Dane Kondic, securing his leadership for the next four years. The announcement, made during a press conference in Maputo, comes after a brief controversy surrounding Kondic’s simultaneous appointment to Air Botswana.
Agostinho Langa, chairman of Ports and Railways of Mozambique (CFM) and a member of LAM’s non-executive board, confirmed that Kondic will now dedicate himself solely to LAM. The agreement required Kondic to terminate all external commitments—including roles in Australia and Botswana—and accept a reduction in personal earnings to finalize the deal.
Kondic, who holds dual Serbian and Australian citizenship, was appointed chairman of LAM’s management committee in May. However, his name surfaced again in June when Air Botswana announced him as their new chairman, raising questions about his allegiance. With the new contract signed, those concerns have now been laid to rest.
His appointment comes at a critical time for LAM, which is undergoing a major restructuring after years of operational challenges. The airline has long struggled with a limited fleet, poor aircraft maintenance, and underinvestment. These issues have led to a series of non-fatal incidents and a near-total halt of international flights.
President Daniel Chapo recently criticized internal corruption within LAM, citing “foxes and corrupt individuals” whose conflicts of interest have hindered progress. His administration had aimed to acquire three new aircraft within its first 100 days—a goal that remains unmet.
To stabilize operations, LAM is planning to acquire five Boeing 737-700 aircraft and has launched a tender to lease five additional planes. The airline now focuses primarily on domestic routes, serving an average of 915 passengers daily.
Backing this transformation is a newly appointed non-executive board composed of representatives from three state-owned companies that became shareholders this year: Hidroelétrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB), Ports and Railways of Mozambique (CFM), and Empresa Moçambicana de Seguros (EMOSE).
With Dane Kondic now fully committed, LAM hopes to turn the page on its troubled past and chart a more stable, efficient future in Mozambique’s aviation sector.
