Air travel across Tanzania came to a standstill on Monday as passengers were left stranded at major airports following widespread unrest triggered by the country’s contested presidential election.
Hundreds of travelers at Julius Nyerere International Airport in Dar es Salaam and other regional airports were forced to wait for hours after authorities suspended several domestic and international flights amid escalating tensions and street demonstrations.
Airport officials confirmed that the disruptions were a result of security concerns and restricted movement in key cities, as protesters clashed with police over allegations of vote rigging and electoral malpractice.
“We had no choice but to delay and cancel multiple flights to ensure passenger safety,” said an airport operations manager. “The situation is tense, and transportation networks have been heavily affected.”
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as stranded travelers scrambled for information and accommodation, with some accusing airlines of poor communication about flight changes.
The national carrier, Air Tanzania, released a statement apologizing to passengers and assuring that normal operations would resume once security conditions improved. “We are monitoring developments closely and prioritizing the safety of all passengers and crew,” the statement read.
The crisis follows last week’s disputed election, which sparked violent protests in several regions. Human rights groups have called on authorities to exercise restraint and respect citizens’ right to peaceful demonstration.
As tensions persist, the Tanzanian government has deployed additional security forces to major transportation hubs, while travelers remain uncertain about when normal flight operations will resume.
