Flight Cancellations across Africa Heralds New Travel Disruption in Cabo Verde, Zimbabwe and South Africa as Cabo Verde Airlines, Air Zimbabwe and Airlink Grounds over Twenty Flights, Affecting Passengers

Published on September 25, 2025

On September 24, 2025, disruptions to air travel across Africa were reported as Cabo Verde Airlines, Air Zimbabwe and Airlink grounded over twenty flights, causing widespread travel delays and cancellations. These disruptions have affected key travel routes between Cabo Verde, Zimbabwe and South Africa, leading to confusion for travelers relying on these essential services. Based on FlightAware data, there’s total of 25 cancellations along with 34 delays. These cancellations and delays, affecting both domestic and international flights, highlights challenges air travel. Passengers are urged to stay informed about their travel plans and check with airlines for updated schedules. With tourism and business travel between these countries at stake, the disruptions might even have broader implications on regional connectivity and the economy in the affected areas.

A Breakdown of the Disruption

Affected Flights

Cabo Verde Airlines
A total of 19 flight cancellations. The affected flights primarily involved domestic routes within the Cabo Verde archipelago:

• TCV4025 from Praia International (RAI / GVNP) to São Pedro (VXE / GVSV)
• TCV4011 from Praia International (RAI / GVNP) to Amílcar Cabral International (SID / GVAC)
• TCV4021 from Praia International (RAI / GVNP) to São Pedro (VXE / GVSV)
• TCV4215 from São Pedro (VXE / GVSV) to Amílcar Cabral International (SID / GVAC)
• TCV4144 from Amílcar Cabral International (SID / GVAC) to Rabil (BVC / GVBA)
• TCV4211 from São Pedro (VXE / GVSV) to Amílcar Cabral International (SID / GVAC)
• TCV4401 from Rabil (BVC / GVBA) to Praia International (RAI / GVNP)
• TCV4125 from Amílcar Cabral International (SID / GVAC) to São Pedro (VXE / GVSV)
• TCV4121 from Amílcar Cabral International (SID / GVAC) to São Pedro (VXE / GVSV)
• TCV4205 from São Pedro (VXE / GVSV) to Praia International (RAI / GVNP)
• TCV4201 from São Pedro (VXE / GVSV) to Praia International (RAI / GVNP)
• TCV4052 from Praia International (RAI / GVNP) to São Filipe (SFL / GVSF)
• TCV4502 from São Filipe (SFL / GVSF) to Praia International (RAI / GVNP)
• TCV4012 from Praia International (RAI / GVNP) to Amílcar Cabral International (SID / GVAC)
• TCV4022 from Praia International (RAI / GVNP) to São Pedro (VXE / GVSV)
• TCV4101 from Amílcar Cabral International (SID / GVAC) to Praia International (RAI / GVNP)
• TCV4212 from São Pedro (VXE / GVSV) to Amílcar Cabral International (SID / GVAC)
• TCV4122 from Amílcar Cabral International (SID / GVAC) to São Pedro (VXE / GVSV)
• TCV4202 from São Pedro (VXE / GVSV) to Praia International (RAI / GVNP)

Air Zimbabwe
2 flight cancellations on September 24, 2025. The canceled flights were as follows:

• AZW467 from Harare International (HRE / FVRG) to OR Tambo International (JNB / FAOR)
• AZW468 from OR Tambo International (JNB / FAOR) to Harare International (HRE / FVRG)

Airlink
South African Airlink reported the cancellation of 4 flights:

• LNK883 from OR Tambo International (JNB / FAOR) to Richards Bay (RCB / FARB)
• LNK884 from Richards Bay (RCB / FARB) to OR Tambo International (JNB / FAOR)
• LNK885 from OR Tambo International (JNB / FAOR) to Richards Bay (RCB / FARB)
• LNK886 from Richards Bay (RCB / FARB) to OR Tambo International (JNB / FAOR)

Affected Routes

The flight cancellations have affected several key routes across three countries, with a focus on domestic routes within Cabo Verde and South Africa and international routes between Zimbabwe and South Africa.

• Cabo Verde Airlines has been forced to cancel multiple inter-island flights within Cabo Verde, including routes between Praia, São Pedro, Amílcar Cabral, Rabil and São Filipe. These flights are critical for both local travelers and those heading to tourist destinations within the archipelago.
• Air Zimbabwe has affected international travel between Zimbabwe and South Africa, with two major routes from Harare to Johannesburg being grounded. These routes are vital for business and leisure travelers who rely on smooth connectivity between the two countries.
• Airlink has faced disruptions on domestic and regional routes within South Africa, particularly flights between Johannesburg and Richards Bay, a key route for travelers heading to the northern part of the country.

Delays

Cabo Verde Airlines reported 8 delayed flights, which accounted for 18% of its scheduled operations. The delays primarily impacted flights on domestic routes within the Cabo Verde archipelago. Passengers on these flights experienced varying wait times before departure, causing some disruptions to their travel plans.

No delays were reported for Air Zimbabwe during this period. The airline’s operations were focused on flight cancellations and there were no additional reports of delays on the affected routes. Airlink recorded 26 delayed flights, which represented 9% of its total operations. The delays impacted both domestic and regional flights, primarily affecting routes within South Africa. Passengers on these delayed flights faced interruptions to their schedules, though the airline did not specify the exact duration of each delay.

Affected Airports

The flight cancellations have had an impact on various airports and cities, with the following locations being directly affected:

• Cabo Verde:
  • Praia (Praia International Airport – RAI / GVNP)
  • São Pedro (São Pedro Airport – VXE / GVSV)
  • Amílcar Cabral (Amílcar Cabral International Airport – SID / GVAC)
  • Rabil (Rabil Airport – BVC / GVBA)
  • São Filipe (São Filipe Airport – SFL / GVSF)
• Zimbabwe:
  • Harare (Harare International Airport – HRE / FVRG)
  • Johannesburg (OR Tambo International Airport – JNB / FAOR)
• South Africa:
  • Johannesburg (OR Tambo International Airport – JNB / FAOR)
  • Richards Bay (Richards Bay Airport – RCB / FARB)

These cities and airports play critical roles in the local and regional economy, especially for tourism. The disruptions have affected the flow of tourists and business travelers, which might have broader implications for the economies of these regions.

Probable Impact on Local Tourism

Local tourism in Cabo Verde, Zimbabwe and South Africa could face significant challenges due to these flight disruptions. Tourism is a vital sector for all three countries and these cancellations and delays may discourage travelers from planning trips to these destinations.

In Cabo Verde, where tourism is heavily dependent on air travel between the islands and mainland routes, these disruptions could significantly reduce visitor numbers. Flights between islands such as Praia, São Filipe and Rabil are essential for inter-island tourism and their cancellation may discourage tourists from booking travel to these popular destinations.

Zimbabwe has already been grappling with economic challenges and the cancellation of flights between Harare and Johannesburg could impact the number of international tourists visiting Zimbabwe. Many tourists from South Africa, a key source of visitors, may now reconsider traveling to Zimbabwe due to the inconvenience caused by these disruptions.

In South Africa, the cancellations by Airlink, particularly on the Johannesburg-Richards Bay route, could affect domestic tourism. Richards Bay is a popular destination for both business and leisure travelers and these disruptions may lead to a decline in visitation.

What Affected Passengers Can Do

Affected passengers should take immediate steps to mitigate the impact of these flight cancellations. Here are some suggestions for travelers:

1. Contact Airlines for Rebooking: Passengers should reach out to Cabo Verde Airlines, Air Zimbabwe, or Airlink for assistance with rebooking their flights. Airlines typically offer alternative flights or compensation for cancellations.
2. Check for Refunds or Vouchers: Passengers affected by cancellations may be entitled to a refund or travel vouchers. It is important to inquire about these options directly from the airline.
3. Stay Informed About Delays: For those facing delays, it’s crucial to stay updated on the status of their flight by regularly checking with the airline or airport.
4. Consider Alternative Airports or Routes: If the flight cancellations are significant, passengers may want to explore alternative routes or airports to reach their destinations.
5. Check for Travel Insurance: If passengers have travel insurance, they should check their policy for coverage related to cancellations and delays.

In conclusion, the flight cancellations and delays reported by Cabo Verde Airlines, Air Zimbabwe and Airlink have caused travel disruptions across key routes. This information, sourced from FlightAware data, highlights the ongoing challenges faced by these airlines and the impact on passengers traveling within Cabo Verde, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Image Credit- Cabo Verde Airlines and Airlink