Kenya Airways responds to suspension of its flights by Tanzania

By Peter Ochieng

Kenya Airways (KQ) leadership has responded to a motice of suspension of its flights between Nairobi and Dar-es-Salaam.

Tanzanian authorities on Monday suspended all Kenya Airways (KQ) flights between Nairobi and Dar in a tit-for-tat decision, after Kenya declined a request for all-cargo flight operations by Air Tanzania Company Limited.

Hamza Johari, Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) Director General in a statement said Kenya's refusal is a breach of section 4 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on air services, between the two East Africa neighbours.

The MoU was signed on 24th November, 2024 in Nairobi, during retired president Uhuru Kenyatta's time in office. Current Head of State, William Ruto was the deputy president.

The suspension was to take effect on 22nd January, 2024.

In a statement, KQ said it is aware of the suspension, adding that it is engaging various players in the aviation industry in Kenya and Tanzania, so as to have the decision rescinded.

"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," said KQ.

A statement released earlier by Hamza reads, "Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, on behalf of the aeronautical authorities of the United Republic of Tanzania, has decided to rescind the approvals for Kenya Airways (KQ) to operate passenger flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam under Third and Forth Freedom Traffic Rights with effect from 22 January 2023."

"This is to reciprocate the decision by the aeronautical authorise of the Republic of Kenya to refuse the Tanzanian request for all-cargo flight operations by Air Tanzania Company Limited under Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights between Nairobi and Third countries, contrary to Section 4 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services, between Tanzania and Kenya signed on 24 November 2016 in Nairobi Kenya," it added.

"The Republic of Tanzania shall always strive to adhere to the principles of the Chicago Convention and Bilateral Air Services Agreement between states."

If allowed to stand, the suspension will negatively impact Kenya Airways which operates several flights per week to and from Tanzania.