Chileka International Airport
Blantyre, Malawi
Chileka International Airport
Malawi's principal gateway serving the commercial city of Blantyre.
- ›Located approximately 15 km north of Blantyre city centre in the Chileka area.
- ›Operated by Malawi Airports Development Limited (MADL).
- ›Serves as the main gateway for southern Malawi's commercial activity.
- ›The airport shares international traffic with Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe.
- ›The runway is capable of handling medium-sized wide-body and narrow-body jet aircraft.
Chileka International Airport serves Blantyre, Malawi's largest city and economic hub, located approximately 15 kilometres north of the city centre. Established during the colonial era, the airport has long been the country's primary international gateway alongside Lilongwe's Kamuzu International Airport. It handles a modest but vital mix of regional African routes and domestic connections, supporting trade, tourism, and humanitarian operations in the southern region.
- Main Terminal — A single combined terminal handling all international and domestic arrivals and departures with basic check-in, immigration, and limited retail facilities.
- Minibus taxis (matolas) operating shared routes toward Blantyre city centre
- Private taxi hire available at the terminal forecourt
- Pre-arranged hotel shuttle services from select Blantyre hotels
- Car rental desks available inside the terminal from local operators
- Ryalls Hotel Blantyre
- Protea Hotel by Marriott Blantyre Ryalls
- Mount Soche Hotel
- Crossroads Hotel Blantyre
- Hostellerie de France
Dining options inside Chileka International Airport are limited, with a small café offering snacks, beverages, and light meals for departing passengers. Blantyre city centre, about 20 minutes away, offers a wider range of restaurants serving both Malawian cuisine and international dishes. Travellers are advised to eat before arriving at the airport if they have specific dietary requirements.
- Arrive at least two hours before international flights as security and immigration processing can be slow during peak periods.
- Carry local Malawian Kwacha for taxis and small purchases, as card payment infrastructure at the airport is limited.
- Confirm your flight status directly with the airline before travel, as schedules on regional African routes can change with little notice.
- The airport is at a moderate elevation and evenings can be cool — carry a light layer if arriving or departing after dark.
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Bakili Muluzi International Airport formerly Chileka International Airport is an international airport in Malawi. It is located approximately 13 km, by road, northwest of Blantyre, the second largest city in the Republic of Malawi and the country's commercial and financial capital. It is Malawi's second international airport, the other being Kamuzu International Airport, in Lilongwe, the nation's capital city.
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