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Kenya Airways restores flights to Kinshasa after staff released

A Kenya Airways plane. (Photo: File)

By Mwangi Maina | 06 May 2024

The national carrier will resume its daily fights to the DRC capital on Wednesday.

Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced that it will resume flights to Kinshasa in the DRC on Wednesday, shortly after the release of staff who had been detained there.

The national carrier operates daily flights to the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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KQ suspended its flights to Kinshasa on April 29, citing the detention of its employees by the Congolese military intelligence unit, and explaining that it could not continue without sufficient personnel.

It said, “The continued detention of our employees has made it difficult for us to supervise our operations in Kinshasa, which include customer service, ground handling, cargo activities, and generally ensuring safe, secure, and efficient operations.”

In a statement on Monday night, the airline confirmed “that military authorities in Kinshasa have unconditionally released our two employees who had been detained since 19 April 2024.”

“We reiterate that our employees are innocent and were only carrying out their duties in strict adherence to the laid out procedures. We stand by their excellence and will continue to support them,” it added.

POSITION STATEMENT: Kenya Airways confirms the release of detained employees & flight resumption to Kinshasa pic.twitter.com/V5y93dEZ6s
— Kenya Airways (@KenyaAirways) May 6, 2024

Earlier on Monday, Kenya announced that it had successfully secured the release of KQ personnel from the DRC.

Foreign Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei said this followed vigorous diplomatic efforts by Nairobi.