Several airlines, including Turkish Airlines, TAAG and Qatar Airways, have announced the suspension of flights to the country due to the serious political and social instability that Mozambique has been facing since the general elections in October, according to Lusa.
Turkish Airlines cancelled flights scheduled between Johannesburg and Maputo on the Istanbul-Maputo route, scheduled for this Thursday (26), citing security concerns. The decision comes after the Constitutional Council confirmed the victory of Daniel Chapo, of the Frelimo party, with 65 per cent of the vote, a result contested by opposition leaders due to allegations of electoral fraud.
TAAG has also suspended flights scheduled for Tuesday 24 December between Luanda and Maputo. In a statement, the Angolan airline justified the measure as a precaution to guarantee the safety of passengers and crew in the face of demonstrations and violent clashes on the streets of Maputo.
Qatar Airways, for its part, announced the cancellation of the Maputo-Doha flight scheduled for Wednesday (25), asking passengers to seek assistance for rebookings or refunds.
Airlink, a South African company, has suspended some of its daily services between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Maputo, while maintaining operations to other Mozambican destinations, such as Beira, Nampula and Pemba.
The post-election crisis, marked by protests, looting and barricades, has already caused more than 150 deaths and paralysed essential sectors, including air transport. The airlines have reinforced their commitment to monitoring the situation and have said they will resume operations as soon as security conditions permit.
The impact of the tensions goes beyond Mozambique’s borders, affecting mobility and the regional economy, especially during the festive season and business trips.
