Dubai-based airline Emirates has suspended its flights to and from Dar es Salaam amid widespread civil unrest in Tanzania following the disputed 2025 General Election.
In a statement posted on its website, the airline cited “ongoing civil unrest in Dar es Salaam” as the reason for the cancellations, apologising to passengers for the inconvenience and promising to resume operations once stability is restored.
“Due to ongoing civil unrest in Dar es Salaam, the following Emirates flights are cancelled. Customers booked to travel to or from Dar es Salaam must contact their travel agency for rebooking,” read part of the notice.
Flights Affected by the Suspension
The airline confirmed that several scheduled flights between Dubai and Dar es Salaam had been cancelled over three consecutive days.
| Date | Route | Flight Number | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 31 Oct | Dubai → Dar es Salaam | EK725 | Cancelled |
| Friday, 31 Oct | Dar es Salaam → Dubai | EK726 | Cancelled |
| Saturday, 1 Nov | Dubai → Dar es Salaam | EK725 | Cancelled |
| Saturday, 1 Nov | Dar es Salaam → Dubai | EK726 | Cancelled |
| Sunday, 2 Nov | Dubai → Dar es Salaam | EK725 | Cancelled |
| Sunday, 2 Nov | Dar es Salaam → Dubai | EK726 | Cancelled |
Emirates noted that travellers connecting through Dubai with Dar es Salaam as their final destination will not be allowed to continue their journey until further notice. The carrier said it was closely monitoring the situation and would update customers accordingly.
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Meanwhile, Flydubai’s flights to Zanzibar remain unaffected and continue to operate as scheduled.
Protests Erupt Across Tanzania
Thousands of Tanzanians, mostly young people, have taken to the streets claiming that the 2025 General Election was manipulated to favour President Samia Suluhu Hassan and her ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party.
Despite orders from the army chief to quell the protests, demonstrations continued across major cities, particularly in Dar es Salaam. Reports from the BBC indicate that over 500 people have died, while opposition party Chadema alleges the number exceeds 700.
Impact on Neighbouring Kenya
The political turmoil has also affected Kenya, with cross-border trade between the two countries slowing down dramatically.
Operations at the Taveta/Holili One Stop Border Post were disrupted after Tanzania’s internet blackout paralysed customs systems, causing massive cargo delays. The Tanzanian government also temporarily barred boda boda riders from ferrying passengers and goods across the border, leading to protests on both sides.
Despite the chaos, President Samia Suluhu is pushing ahead in her bid for a first full term, though questions linger about electoral fairness and democratic space in the country.
