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Home›Chileka International Airport (BLZ) Guide
IATA: BLZ · Blantyre, Malawi

Chileka International Airport Guide

CapitalLilongwe
Population20,734,262
CurrencyMWK MK Malawian kwacha
LanguageChichewa
Time ZoneUTC+02:00 CAT
AirportBLZ
Distance—
Flight Time—
Visitors/yr~1,617,996

Chileka International Airport (IATA: BLZ) is a key aviation hub serving Blantyre and the wider Malawi region. The airport operates 3 passenger terminals, handling millions of passengers annually.

Getting to Blantyre from BLZ

Train and metro offer the fastest connections (20–40 min). Buses and shared shuttles are the most affordable. Taxis and rideshare apps (Uber, Bolt) are ideal with luggage or in groups.

Terminals & Facilities

Chileka International Airport has 3 terminals with duty-free retail, restaurants, business lounges, family zones and prayer rooms. Free WiFi is available throughout.

Airport Lounges at BLZ

Multiple lounges are accessible via Priority Pass, Amex Platinum, airline status or day-pass purchase. Amenities include complimentary food and drinks, fast WiFi and shower facilities.

Parking

Short-stay, long-stay and meet-and-greet options are available at Chileka International Airport. Pre-booking online saves 30–50% versus paying at the gate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How early to arrive at BLZ?+
Is there free WiFi at Chileka International Airport?+
How do I get from BLZ to Blantyre city centre?+
Are there hotels near BLZ?+
Which airlines fly from BLZ?+

Top Activities in Blantyre

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Hotels in Blantyre

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Chileka International Airport (BLZ) at a glance

IATA / ICAO
BLZ / FWCL
Serves
Blantyre
Country
Malawi
Local time now
15:07 (CAT)
Time zone
Africa/Blantyre
Currency
MWK (MK)
Capital
Lilongwe
Coordinates
-15.6791, 34.9740

Cheapest fares found from BLZ right now

Updated 31 Aug 2026
DestinationAirlineStopsDepartsFrom
Dar es Salaam (DAR)Ethiopian AirlinesDirect26 Sep€640
Dubai (DXB)Ethiopian Airlines1 stop20 Sep€871
Sharjah (SHJ)Ethiopian Airlines1 stop20 Sep€1,225
Return fares found by travellers in the last 48 hours. Prices change constantly - search for your dates to see live availability.

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Nonstop destinations from BLZ

Chileka International Airport has published nonstop service to 5 airports across 5 countries. The busiest are listed first, with straight-line distance from BLZ.

DestinationIATACountryDistance
JohannesburgJNBSouth Africa1,356 km
Dar es SalaamDARTanzania1,082 km
LumbadziLLWMalawi245 km
LusakaLUNZambia699 km
HarareHREZimbabwe483 km

Airlines serving BLZ

1 carriers publish nonstop service at BLZ, ranked by how many routes each one appears on. Counts include codeshares, so a carrier can be listed here while the aircraft is flown by a partner. Schedules change seasonally — check the operating carrier on your own dates before booking.

AirlineCodeTypeRoutes
South African AirwaysSAFull Service2

At the airport

General guidance rather than BLZ-specific detail — terminal counts, lounge locations, desk opening hours and lost-property arrangements change often, so confirm those on the airport’s own site before you travel.

SecurityAllow longer than you think at peak departure banks - typically early morning and late evening. Liquids and electronics rules still differ by airport even where scanners have been upgraded.
ImmigrationArriving passengers clear immigration at the first point of entry into a country, not at the final destination, which is what makes tight connections risky on separate tickets.
Terminal transfersWhere an airport has multiple terminals, allow for a shuttle or train between them. Airside transfers are faster, but a change of terminal often means re-clearing security.
Wi-FiFree Wi-Fi is now near-universal at scheduled-service airports, usually with a time limit or an email sign-in. Download boarding passes before you land in case sign-in fails.
Food and shopsMost retail sits airside, after security. Landside options before security are usually thinner and close earlier.
AccessibilityRequest assistance through your airline at least 48 hours ahead. It is a legal entitlement across the EU, UK and US, but only guaranteed when pre-booked.
CurrencyAirport exchange desks carry the widest spreads of anywhere in a country. An ATM in the arrivals hall, or a card with no foreign-transaction fee, is almost always cheaper.
Lost propertyItems left on the aircraft go to the airline; items left in the terminal go to the airport operator. They are separate systems, so report to the right one.