Chileka International Airport — Blantyre, Malawi

Chileka International Airport answers to the code BLZ and serves Blantyre, Malawi's commercial capital, from an elevation of 2,555 feet. Two runways here once carried the bulk of Malawi's international traffic, back when Chileka served as the country's principal gateway before Lilongwe International Airport assumed that primary role after the capital shifted to Lilongwe. As a large airport, BLZ continues to handle a significant share of Malawi's air traffic, given Blantyre's importance as the country's commercial and industrial center. The airport connects southern Malawi to regional destinations across Africa, supporting business travel tied to the tea, tobacco, and manufacturing industries centered around Blantyre. Its elevation on the Shire Highlands gives it a moderate climate compared to lower-lying parts of the country, and two runways allow steady operations even as scheduled traffic patterns shift over time. Cargo handling at BLZ remains closely tied to the export of tea and tobacco grown across the surrounding highlands.