By Noémia Mendes
Maputo (MOZTIMES) – The South African airline Airlink has temporarily suspended its flights to Nampula due to a legal dispute involving the threat of aircraft seizure in Mozambique.
The decision was announced on Tuesday through a statement in which the airline denounced attempts to seize its aircraft on Mozambican soil at Nampula Airport, following an incident on 7 December. This event led to the issuing of a provisional order by a Mozambican court authorising the seizure of Airlink’s aircraft in the country.
According to the statement, the dispute began when two Mozambican passengers exhibited unruly and threatening behaviour during an Airlink flight at Johannesburg Airport.
“The decision to cancel today's operations to Nampula follows a claim for damages instituted in Mozambique Court application by two Mozambican passengers, who were offloaded from an Airlink flight in Johannesburg. South Africa on 7 December 2024, for unruly and threatening behaviour,” the company explained.
In response to the incident, the passengers launched legal proceedings against Airlink, seeking compensation for damages and the seizure of the airline’s aircraft in Mozambique. On 28 December, a Mozambican court issued a provisional order to seize at least three of the airline’s aircraft, although an attempt to enforce the seizure at Nampula Airport was unsuccessful.
Airlink, in turn, engaged legal counsel in Mozambique and contested the order, arguing that local courts lack jurisdiction over aircraft registered in South Africa. “Given the threat of seizure and the potential for the actual seizure of Airlink aircraft, we have suspended all operations to and from Nampula while the matter is addressed through legal and diplomatic channels,” the company stated.
In a statement, Airlink CEO Rodger Foster reiterated the company’s commitment to the safety of its passengers and crew. “We have a zero-tolerance policy towards unruly behaviour as it compromises the safety of everyone involved,” he said.
The airline suspended flights as a precautionary measure, citing the risk of seizure and legal uncertainty. Airlink assured affected passengers that they would be refunded or rebooked for alternative destinations within Mozambique, such as Maputo, Beira or Vilanculos.
Despite the legal dispute, Foster reaffirmed the airline’s intention to resolve the issue through lawful and diplomatic means. “We remain committed to resolving the matter through legal and diplomatic channels,” he concluded. (NM)
