LAM - Mozambique Airlines, S. A. (LAM - Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique, S. A.) or Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique, Ltd., operating as LAM Mozambique Airlines (Portuguese: LAM Linhas Aéreas de Moçambique), is the flag carrier of Mozambique. The airline was established by the Portuguese colonial government of Mozambique in August 1936 (1936-08) as a charter carrier named Direcção de Exploração de Transportes Aéreos, and was renamed in 1980 following reorganisation.

LAM Mozambique Airlines is based in Maputo, and has its hub at Maputo International Airport. It operates scheduled services in southern Africa. The company is a member of the International Air Transport Association, and of the African Airlines Association since 1976. LAM Mozambique Airlines is on the list of airlines banned in the EU since April 2011 (2011-04)^[update].

The airline was established on 26 August 1936 (1936-08-26) as DETA – Direcção de Exploração de Transportes Aéreos, as a division of the Department of Railways, Harbours and Airways of the Portuguese colonial government of Mozambique. Charter flights were operated for a short period of time, until a regular airmail service commenced on 22 December 1937 using a Dragonfly, a Hornet and two Rapides. Shortly afterwards, these services started carrying passengers, most of them government officials. Flown with Rapides, the Lourenço Marques–Germinston route was one of the company’s mainstays in the early years; it was operated on a twice-weekly basis, and connected with Imperial Airways services to London. In April 1938 (1938-04), the eight-hour-long domestic Lourenço Marques–Inhambane–Beira–Quelimane coastal route was opened. DETA passengers that were flown along the Mozambican coast could also connect with Imperial services at Lourenço Marques. At that time, Imperial Airways ran a service between Cape Town and Cairo that called at Lourenço Marques. Early in 1938, DETA had signed a contract with Imperial for the provision of such feeder services. During the spring, another Hornet was incorporated into the fleet. Also in 1938, the airline acquired three Junkers Ju-52s and two more Rapides. The coastal service was extended farther north in October, reaching Port Amelia. At April 1939 (1939-04), one Drangonfly, one Hornet, three Junkers Ju-52s and six Rapides were part of the fleet. Most of the operations came to a halt following the outbreak of World War II.

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