Post by : Rameen Ariff

Dubai: Emirates has temporarily halted all flights to and from Dar es Salaam through November 4, as political unrest continues to disrupt operations in Tanzania’s commercial capital and leading tourist gateway.

The Dubai-based airline announced the cancellation of 10 flights — five departures from Dubai and five return services — starting October 31, citing safety and operational concerns due to ongoing instability.

In an advisory, Emirates stated, “We continue to monitor the situation closely and apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers.” The suspended routes include EK725 from Dubai to Dar es Salaam and EK726 on the return leg.

Emirates operates daily flights connecting UAE travellers with Tanzania’s famous beaches, safari parks, and the islands of Zanzibar. The suspension has temporarily paused these links, affecting both business and leisure travel between the two nations.

The airline has advised passengers booked on connecting flights through Dubai not to travel to the airport until further notice, indicating that the suspension could be extended depending on developments on the ground.

Affected customers have been urged to contact their travel agents for rebooking options, while those who booked directly with Emirates can reach out through the airline’s official customer service channels. Travellers are also encouraged to update their contact details via the Manage Your Booking section to receive real-time updates.

Dar es Salaam serves as a major entry point for travellers heading to Tanzania’s tourism destinations and plays a vital role in trade and logistics between the UAE and East Africa.

The unrest erupted during a national vote after two key opposition candidates were disqualified from the presidential race, sparking widespread protests and clashes in several Tanzanian cities.

While Emirates has suspended flights to Dar es Salaam, the airline has resumed operations to Madagascar’s capital, Antananarivo, from October 23, after weeks of disruption. Emirates confirmed that passengers travelling to Madagascar are now being accepted for travel as usual, signalling improved stability there.

The situation in Tanzania continues to be closely monitored, with Emirates prioritising the safety of passengers and crew as it evaluates when to resume regular service to Dar es Salaam.

#world news #Global News #Travel News