Tanzania Suspends Kenya Airways Flights Over Cargo Row

Tanzania will suspend all passenger flights operated by Kenya Airways (KQ) between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam from January 22, 2024.

The move is a retaliation for Kenya’s refusal to allow Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) to operate cargo flights from Nairobi to third countries.

The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) said in a public notice that the decision was based on the principle of reciprocity, following the violation of a 2016 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Air Services by the Kenyan authorities.

The MoU stipulates reciprocal treatment for airlines from both countries.

“This decision is based on the principle of reciprocity, following the refusal by the Kenyan authorities to approve ATCL’s cargo flights despite the clear provisions of the MoU,” stated TCAA Director General Hamza S. Johari.

Kenya Airways Responds

Kenya Airways operates 33 scheduled flights per week between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, making it one of the busiest routes in the region.

Consequently, KQ, in a statement, said it is working with the aviation and government authorities of both countries to prevent any flight disruptions.

“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.”

The suspension will affect thousands of passengers who rely on the airline for business, tourism, and family connections. It will also reduce the options and increase the fares for travellers between the two countries.

The dispute between Tanzania and Kenya over air travel rights has been simmering for several months.

In August 2020, Tanzania banned KQ flights for a brief period after Kenya excluded Tanzanians from a list of countries whose citizens could enter without quarantine restrictions. The ban was later lifted, but tensions remained high.

The current situation raises concerns about the future of air travel between the two countries, which are both key players in the East African Community (EAC).