The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) on Monday announced that it has suspended all Kenya Airways (KQ) passenger flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam with effect from January 22, 2024.
Tanzania cited a reciprocity dispute after Kenya refused a request for all-cargo flight operations by Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) to operate cargo flights between Nairobi and third countries.
The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority termed Kenya’s refusal as a breach of Section 4 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services between the two countries, signed on November 24, 2016, in Nairobi.
TCAA Director General Hamza Johari said that the flights have been banned under Third and Fourth Freedom Traffic Rights with effect from January 22, 2024.
“This decision is based on the principle of reciprocity, following the refusal by the Kenyan authorities to grant approval for ATCL’s cargo flights despite the clear provisions of the MoU,” the statement read.
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He added that KQ was aware of the Public Notice issued by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority on January 15, 2024, rescinding KQ’s approval to operate passenger flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam effective 22nd January 2024.
Tanzania’s suspension is expected to have a significant impact on Kenya Airways, which operates 33 flights per week to and from Tanzania as thousands travel between the two countries.
At the same time, KQ also issued a statement on Monday evening saying it was engaging civil aviation authorities and relevant government agencies in Kenya and Tanzania to find a solution to the matter.
“Kenya Airways is aware of the Public Notice issued by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority on January 15, 2024, rescinding the approvals of KQ to operate passenger flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam effective January 22, 2024,” said the national carrier.
“Kenya Airways is engaging the Civil Aviation Authorities and relevant government agencies in Kenya and Tanzania to find a solution that will ensure there are no flight disruptions between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.”
Meanwhile, the two governments announced late Monday that they had committed to resolving a row.
Through social media posts, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary (CS) and CS for Foreign Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, and Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, January Makamba, said they had spoken on the matter.
The ministers said they resolved to settle this issue within three days.
“I have this evening spoken to H.E. @JMakamba (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania, with regard to the decision of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority to rescind the approvals for Kenya Airways to operate passenger flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam with effect from 22nd January 2024,” Mudavadi wrote on X.
“We have jointly agreed that our respective Civil Aviation Authorities will work together to have the matter resolved amicably within the next three days. There should therefore be no cause for alarm.”
I have this evening spoken to H.E. @JMakamba (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania, with regard to the decision of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority to rescind the approvals for @KenyaAirways to operate passenger…
— Musalia W Mudavadi (@MusaliaMudavadi) January 15, 2024
Makamba on his part said: “I spoke to my Kenyan colleague @MusaliaMudavadi. We agree that restrictions of air travel between our countries and from any of our country to a third country shouldn’t stand. With relevant authorities, we’ve resolved to settle this issue, per existing agreements, within 3 days.”
I spoke to my Kenyan colleague @MusaliaMudavadi. We agree that restrictions of air travel between our countries and from any of our country to a third country shouldn’t stand. With relevant authorities, we’ve resolved to settle this issue, per existing agreements, within 3 days.
— January Makamba (@JMakamba) January 15, 2024
