Moz cyclone causes evacuations, flight cancellations

CYCLONE Favio, forecast to hit Mozambique today (22 February), has led to flights being cancelled and guests being evacuated from hotels and lodges in the northern regions of Mozambique. Swazi Express Airways cancelled its flight to Vilanculos on Friday, but all flights will be back to normal from Monday. Pelican Air cancelled all Vilanculos flights scheduled for February 22 to 24. LAM, Transairways and TravelMax flights are all still on schedule. Among the establishments that have evacuated guests is Pestana Bazaruto; some guests returned home, while others were being accommodated at either Pestana’s Inhaca or Kruger lodges. The Bazaruto property is closed but expects to be open again by February 26, unless weather conditions remain poor. Tony Birkholtz, marketing manager of Barra Resorts, said the company had given its guests at Flamingo Bay the option of either leaving early by car or by plane, or being transferred to the nearby Barra Lodge. He added that the bad weather also affects activities, like scuba diving, offered by the lodges for days after the cyclone has hit. Benguerra Lodge has also cancelled all bookings until February 26, but did not have any guests currently staying there due to a recent refurbishment. Chana Viljoen (chanav@nowmedia.co.za)