More than 500 passengers have been stranded since Monday (20) at Filipe Jacinto Nyusi Airport in Chongoene, Gaza province, due to a series of operational failures aggravated by the interruption of traffic on National Road Number One (N1), the main link between the south and center of the country, as reported by the newspaper O País.
Users complain of long queues, slow service, and alleged corruption in ticket sales, pointing to a scenario of widespread disorganization. Several passengers say they have not even been able to purchase tickets for flights to Maputo, despite remaining at the airport for several consecutive days.
“We’ve been here since 4:00 a.m. yesterday. Buying a ticket is a serious problem,” said one of the passengers, identified only as Lúcia. Another source, who preferred to remain anonymous, said she had been at the airport since Friday and had only obtained a ticket, with no guarantee of boarding.
The situation is aggravated by the precarious conditions in which users find themselves. “I left a nine-month-old baby at home. Now I’m having other women’s pains, and here we are in the middle of nowhere, unable to buy basic hygiene products. We sleep on the floor,” reported the same source.
According to reports, ticket sales points have suspended ticket issuance, citing the absence of sales agents, who are unable to reach the location due to logistical constraints caused by the interruption of the N1 highway.
Given the lack of alternative transportation and adequate assistance, discontent is growing among users, many of whom are forced to spend the night at the airport in undignified conditions.
The authorities have not yet made an official statement on the incident, nor have they announced any measures to resolve the situation, leaving passengers in a state of uncertainty about their return.
