Portugal’s national airline, TAP Air Portugal, has decided to route its flights to Maputo, via Johannesburg – for a technical stop.
TAP will no longer refuel its aircraft in Maputo. Nor will it allow crew members to overnight in Maputo, Mozambique.
It has decided to refuel and to change crews in Johannesburg instead.
This change comes as a result of expected unrest following the announcement of the preliminary results of the October 9 general election, with the ruling party, Frelimo in the lead.
Venâncio Mondlane, who came in second place with just over 20% of the votes has called for strikes and demonstrations nationwide.
Since October the Southern African country has seen rioting and unrest due to the disputed election results.
The unrest has centred around the capital, Maputo.
Since October 21, at least 130 people have died in the post-election protests, 385 have sustained gunshot injuries, 3 636 have been arrested, and more than 2 000 people have been injured.
With the possibility of more protests and rioting after December 23 – when Mozambique’s Constitutional Council announced the official results of the general election, TAP has decided to reroute its Maputo flights.
TAP operates three scheduled flights a week between Lisbon and Maputo.
In the interests of safety, the carrier has therefore made this adjustment to its scheduled Maputo flights.
TAP ROUTES MAPUTO FLIGHTS VIA JOHANNESBURG
The airline will continue to provide scheduled services between Lisbon and Maputo. However, crew will no longer stay in Maputo.
Crew stayovers will now be in South Africa instead of Maputo.
TAP’s Maputo-bound flights will also refuel in South Africa. This means the aircraft will be on the ground in Maputo for a shorter time.
This change also reduces safety risks for the airline’s crew members who must overnight before returning to Portugal.
According to the Club of Mozambique, TAP’s crews will now overnight in Johannesburg.
Its aircraft will also refuel in Johannesburg before proceeding to Maputo with a new crew.
This crew will operate flights from Maputo through to Lisbon, without leaving the airport in Maputo.
Club of Mozambique reports that this change will remain in place until further notice.
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