The escalating war in parts of the Middle East has denied National Bank of Malawi plc’s Platinum Employee Recognition Award winners the opportunity to fully enjoy their celebratory trip to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, after regional airspace closures forced the bank to cut the visit short and facilitate their safe return home.
The eight outstanding employees and their spouses had traveled on Saturday, 28 February 2026, under the bank’s flagship Platinum Employee Recognition Award programme, an all-expenses-paid initiative designed to celebrate exceptional performance, innovation, and commitment to service excellence.
Their trip was disrupted after several countries across parts of the Middle East temporarily closed their airspace amid intensifying conflict, prompting widespread flight cancellations and operational suspensions by international airlines.
Responding to reports suggesting the group had been stranded, NBM plc’s Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager, Akossa Mphepo-Hiwa, dismissed the claims, stressing that the bank acted swiftly once the situation became clear.
She confirmed that all eight employees and their spouses have since arrived safely in Malawi, adding that the bank will communicate further details regarding alternative arrangements for the recognition trip once the situation stabilises.
“In light of the prevailing uncertainty, and with the safety and well-being of our employees as a top priority, the Bank resolved to seek an alternative destination for the Platinum Employee Recognition trip and will communicate further details in due course,” she said.
The Platinum Employee Recognition Award remains one of National Bank of Malawi plc’s flagship staff motivation initiatives, aimed at celebrating high performance and reinforcing a culture of innovation and service excellence across its operations.
