Nkhotakota Aerodrome

The closure was primarily due to economic factors and a subsequent lack of maintenance. After the national airline ceased operations, scheduled flights to Nkhotakota stopped, making the aerodrome economically unviable. Without consistent air traffic and revenue, the unpaved runway and basic facilities were not maintained, leading to significant degradation from weather and vegetation overgrowth, rendering it unsafe and unusable for aircraft operations.

The site is currently abandoned and derelict. High-resolution satellite imagery shows the runway is completely overgrown with grass and shrubs, though its original outline is still visible. The land is used informally by the local community; a well-trodden footpath cuts directly across the former runway, and small, subsistence-level farming plots are visible on its periphery. The former terminal building and any associated structures appear to be standing but are in a state of disrepair.

Nkhotakota Aerodrome was a key domestic airstrip providing vital air access to the historic town of Nkhotakota on the western shore of Lake Malawi. Its primary role was supporting the region's tourism industry, connecting international visitors arriving in Lilongwe or Blantyre to lakeside lodges and the expansive Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. It also facilitated government administrative travel and was used by private charter flights. Operations were limited to small, STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) capable propeller aircraft, such as the Britten-Norman Islander and Cessna Caravan, which could handle the short, unpaved grass/dirt runway. It was an important node in Malawi's domestic air network that made remote tourist destinations accessible.

There are stated government intentions but no concrete, funded plans for reopening. The Malawian government, through the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, has periodically mentioned the need to rehabilitate Nkhotakota Aerodrome along with other domestic airstrips to bolster the tourism sector. For example, in 2021, officials announced they were seeking partners and investors for such projects. However, as of early 2024, no specific timeline, budget, or confirmed project is in place for the refurbishment of FWKK. Its reopening remains a long-term aspiration dependent on securing significant investment.