Mozambique’s flag carrier, Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique (LAM), announced on Tuesday that it will appeal against a fine imposed by the Competition Regulatory Authority (ARC) for alleged anti-competitive practices, arguing that the regulator failed to take its position into account.

The ARC had given LAM a 15-day deadline — now expired — to pay penalties totalling around 11 million meticais (approximately 170,000 US dollars).

The fine followed a year-long investigation, launched in November 2022, which concluded that the airline had charged excessively high prices for tickets.

“We do not agree with the decision, based on what we know, but there is a forum where we can take our case, and we believe that all the facts, as far as we understand, were not fully considered,” said Dane Kondić, chair of LAM’s management committee, during a press conference in Maputo, on Tuesday, local media reports.

LAM has been grappling for years with operational difficulties, including a reduced fleet and lack of investment. The airline is currently undergoing a deep restructuring process in an effort to restore its financial and operational stability.