# Turkish Airlines African route reductions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-airlines-african-route-reductions
> Updated: 2026-09-28T07:06:14.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

Turkish Airlines has implemented a series of permanent route cancellations across its African network. The carrier removed service to Luanda, Angola, which had previously been suspended due to fuel costs, and has also ended its connection to Lusaka, Zambia.

In Luanda, the withdrawal follows low passenger volumes at the Dr António Agostinho Neto International Airport, which has struggled to reach its designed capacity since its 2023 inauguration. The airline’s exit mirrors previous reductions by other carriers, such as Brussels Airlines.

In Zambia, the loss of connectivity comes as the country faces tourism arrival targets below projections. In response, the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority has encouraged the national carrier, Zambia Airways, to pursue domestic and regional expansion, including potential routes to Kasama and Lubumbashi.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-28: Zambia faces aviation connectivity shifts as Turkish Airlines exits Lusaka

Turkish Airlines has ended its service to Lusaka, prompting the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority to encourage Zambia Airways to expand domestic and regional routes, potentially with government support.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/zambia-faces-aviation-connectivity-shifts-as-turkish-airlines-exits-lusaka

### 2026-09-14: Turkish Airlines permanently cancels Luanda flight route

Turkish Airlines has permanently cancelled its Luanda route, joining other carriers in scaling back services to Angola’s new Dr António Agostinho Neto International Airport due to low passenger numbers.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkish-airlines-permanently-cancels-luanda-flight-route

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Cite as: Turkish Airlines African route reductions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkish-airlines-african-route-reductions