Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya Airways (KQ) has responded to thousands of individuals who could be affected if flight operations between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam are halted.
KQ said that the itinerary would not be disrupted since they are doing all it takes to go back to concurrence with the neighbouring country.
This followed the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority’s statement on Monday, January 15, which stated that they have revoked the approvals of KQ to operate passenger flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, effective from January 22, 2024.
Why Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority cancelled KQ flights
The government of President Samia Suluhu called for the suspension of all KQ flights to the Capital City of Dar es Salaam following Kenya’s deliberate decline request for all cargo flight operations by Air Tanzania.
They expressed Kenya’s unwillingness as a breach of Section 4 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services between them and Kenya.
KQ’s statement noted that there was an underway engagement with civil aviation authorities and relevant government agencies in Kenya and Tanzania to reach the best solution.
“Kenya Airways is aware of the Public Notice issued by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority on 15′ January 2024, rescinding the approvals of KQ to operate passenger flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam effective 22nd January 2024.
“Kenya Airways is engaging the Civil Aviation Authorities and government relevant agencies in Kenya and Tanzania to find a solution that will ensure that there are no flight disruptions between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam,” the national carrier stated.
If the solution to the matter is not met, this will unmask the chilling message that Kenya Airways would have to feel financially nosedive since it operates many flights per week to and fro between the two countries.
“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 22nd January 2024,” Statement read, yesterday 15th.
The statement signed by Hamza Johari, the Director of General Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, continued;
“This is to reciprocate the decision of the aeronautical authorisation 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 2026.”