Emirates Cancels All Flights to Antananarivo Amid Madagascar Unrest

(ANTANANARIVO, MADAGASCAR) Emirates has halted service to Madagascar’s capital after unrest spilled across the city and beyond, saying it has canceled all flights to Antananarivo and will not set a restart date. The airline confirmed an indefinite suspension of its Dubai–Seychelles–Antananarivo route, impacting flights EK707/708, effective from early October 2025 and publicly confirmed on October 13, 2025. The move follows weeks of protests, a military mutiny, and an attempted coup that have raised serious safety risks for crews and travelers.

The airline said all services linking Dubai, Seychelles (SEZ), and Antananarivo (TNR) are on hold “until further notice” while it monitors the situation. In practical terms, Emirates cancels flights touching Madagascar’s busiest international gateway, severing a key link used by business travelers, aid workers, students, and families. There is no announced timeline for resuming operations.

Other carriers have also pulled back. Air France, Air Mauritius, Kenya Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines have either suspended or adjusted Madagascar flights as the crisis deepened. For travelers, that means fewer options, longer routes, and crowded alternatives through regional hubs. VisaVerge.com reports that travelers who need to leave quickly should expect limited seats and higher demand in the short term as airlines reduce their presence.

Airline actions and passenger options

Emirates is rebooking affected customers and urges passengers to keep contact details updated through the airline’s “Manage Your Booking” portal. The carrier says customers can seek:
– Refunds for unused tickets
– Re-routing at the earliest opportunity, subject to availability
– Re-routing at a later date if preferred, also subject to availability

Passengers holding multi-city itineraries that include Antananarivo should contact their travel agency or Emirates to rework onward connections. Travelers already on the route should check email and SMS regularly for schedule changes and keep proof of original travel dates for insurance and employer purposes.

People with time-sensitive needs—such as those with visa deadlines in other countries, students facing term start dates, or workers with contract reporting dates—should explain this urgency when contacting Emirates. While capacity is tight, airlines often try to prioritize travel where there is a clear time limit.

Practical steps if you’re impacted

1. Check and update your contact details in Emirates’ Manage Your Booking portal.
2. Monitor email and SMS for rebooking notices and keep a record of all communications.
3. Contact your travel agency or the airline directly if you have multi-leg itineraries.
4. Explain any urgent deadlines (visas, school terms, work) to request prioritization.

For travelers stuck in Madagascar who need to adjust immigration plans elsewhere, consider these steps:
– Ask your destination country’s airline or consulate about grace periods if your arrival is delayed because Emirates cancels flights to Antananarivo.
– Keep records that show the disruption: booking confirmations, cancellation notices, and new flight searches. These documents help when requesting fee waivers or date changes.
– If you planned to connect in Seychelles, check whether transit rules or hotel stays are needed due to longer waits between flights.

Those flying for medical care, family emergencies, or humanitarian work should flag these reasons when seeking rebooking. In periods of unrest, airlines sometimes allow flexible changes beyond standard rules, though this depends on capacity and internal policies.

Security context and broader impact

The unrest began on September 25, 2025, then escalated when an army unit claimed control over the military, triggering roadblocks and clashes in several parts of the capital. For airline planners, this raises risks along crew transport routes, at hotels, and at the airport. When these risk layers stack up, carriers often pause service. In this case, the pause is an indefinite suspension, which means Emirates will only return after steady improvement in security conditions.

While some travelers can switch to different airlines, choices are limited. With other major carriers also cutting or altering service, the usual workaround—flying to a nearby hub and connecting—may not be available or may involve long waits. Expect routings to shift onto regional airlines when they operate, and be ready for changes even after rebooking if conditions worsen.

Families and workers face ripple effects:
– Parents who need to exit Madagascar to renew residence permits elsewhere could run into deadlines.
– Students may miss enrollment windows.
– Employers may need to rearrange rotations and housing for staff who cannot depart on time.

To reduce stress:
– Contact schools and employers early to request deadline extensions.
– Share official airline notices that confirm the suspension.
– Ask insurers about coverage for trip delays caused by civil unrest.

Travelers should also watch government safety advice. The U.S. Department of State Madagascar Travel Advisory provides updates on security conditions, curfews, and airport access. Even if you hold a confirmed ticket on another carrier, local conditions may affect the trip to and from the airport or cause last-minute cancellations.

Changing departure city or booking channel

For people inside Madagascar needing to leave, check if your ticket allows departure from another city when safe alternatives exist. If you have to shift your origin, ask the airline to:
– Keep the fare the same
– Waive change fees tied to the indefinite suspension of service to Antananarivo

If you purchased through a third-party site, contact them first, but also call the airline to ensure changes are synced across systems.

What to expect going forward

There is no announced date for resuming Emirates flights to Antananarivo. The carrier will keep reviewing conditions and may restore service once safety improves. Until then, travelers should:
– Build extra time into plans and prepare for further adjustments
– Keep hotel bookings flexible, especially near the airport
– Have a backup plan if curfews or roadblocks appear

People who planned to travel to Madagascar in the coming weeks should consider postponing non-urgent trips. If you must travel:
– Check airline operations daily
– Confirm that your embassy’s services are open
– Arrive early for airport check-in — security checks and staff shortages can slow processing during unrest

For now, Emirates cancels flights into and out of Antananarivo as part of a wider regional pullback. The airline’s decision tracks with industry safety practice: when threats rise around aviation facilities or crew accommodations, an immediate pause protects staff and customers. Travelers should expect this approach to continue until authorities restore order and basic services stabilize.

Practical tips and assistance

• Keep contact details current so rebooking messages arrive quickly. If your email or phone number changed, update it.
• If you cannot access the internet, call the airline directly and ask for status notes to be added to your booking.
• Keep your booking reference handy, and write down the names and times of any agents you speak with.
• Some hotels are extending stays at negotiated rates for airline passengers awaiting rebooking.
• Tour groups should ask operators to coordinate with airlines for group moves.
• Solo travelers can check with their embassy for safe transport options when they become available.

The situation remains fluid. For many, the best short-term plan is patience, clear communication, and good documentation of every change. The suspension remains in place “until further notice,” and the focus now is on getting people home or to their next safe stop as seats open up.