One of the biggest international airlines in the world, Emirates, has announced the cancellation of its flights to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Samia Suluhu is seeking a first full term as Tanzania president. This is according to a travel alert posted on the Emirates website. Why did Fly Emirates cancel flights to Tanzania? In a statement, the Dubai-based airline cited civil unrest in the East African country following post-election violence. Customers who arrive at Dubai International Airport and connect with Emirates with Dar es Salaam as their final destination will not be allowed to continue their journey from their starting point until further notice.
“Due to ongoing civil unrest in Dar es Salaam, the following Emirates flights are cancelled…Customers booked to travel to/from Dar es Salaam must contact their travel agency for rebooking. If booked directly with Emirates, please contact us,” it stated. Fly Emirates said it will continue to monitor to situation in Tanzania. “We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers. We continue to monitor the situation closely,” it added. The following flights were affected: EK725 from Dubai to Dar Es Salaam, Friday, October 31. EK726 from Dar es Salaam to Dubai, Friday, October 31. EK725 from Dubai to Dar Es Salaam, Saturday, November 1. EK726 from Dar es Salaam to Dubai, Saturday, November 1. EK725 from Dubai to Dar es Salaam, Sunday, November 2. EK726 from Dar es Salaam to Dubai, Sunday, November 2.
However, Flydubai’s 21-times-weekly service to Zanzibar, a popular island destination in Tanzania, has not been impacted and will operate as usual. Emirates cancelled flights to and from Dar es Salaam. Photo: Emirates. Source: Facebook Why are Tanzanians protesting? In cities throughout Tanzania, young demonstrators have taken to the streets to protest the 2025 General Election as unfair. They claim that by stifling the major opposition figures, the government is weakening democracy and increasing the likelihood that President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) Party would win. Despite the army chief’s demands to put an end to the turmoil, protesters in the port city of Dar es Salaam continued their demonstrations on Friday. Over 500 people were killed, according to the BBC, but Chadema, the main opposition group, claims 700 people died.
By Japhet Ruto
