Regional airline Airlink has announced the suspension of all flights to and from Mozambique’s Nampula city following a legal dispute involving two passengers who were removed from a flight in Johannesburg late last year.
The passengers have filed a claim for damages with a regional court in Nampula, seeking compensation for alleged infringements on their rights after being removed from a flight in December 2024 for alleged unruly behaviour.
The claim also includes a court application to have Airlink’s aircraft seized pending a hearing scheduled for mid-January.
Airlink’s chief executive and managing director Rodger Foster announced the cancellation on Tuesday, stating that the decision was made to protect the interests of the business and its customers.
“Given the threat and potential for the actual seizure of Airlink aircraft, we have suspended all operations to and from Nampula while the matter is dealt with through legal and diplomatic channels,” Foster said in a statement.
Foster acknowledged the negative impact of the suspension on trade, tourism, and both business and leisure travel between the affected markets.
However, he emphasized that no airline could be expected to continue providing service under such conditions.
Affected passengers would be given a full refund or re-routed via Maputo, Beira, or Vilanculos airport while the airline continued to monitor the situation.
Foster defended the decision to remove the passengers from the flight, citing Airlink’s strict zero-tolerance policy regarding unruly behaviour onboard its aircraft.
“As the safety and well-being of its passengers, crew, and aircraft come before any other operational consideration, Airlink has a strict zero-tolerance policy with regards to unruly behaviour onboard its aircraft,” Foster said.
He added that any interference, threats, or belligerence towards the crew, or disruption to the crew’s primary task of providing passenger safety, puts the lives of all on board at risk.
JN/APA