Kenya, Tanzania agree to resolve KQ flight ban within three days
By Dennis Tarus |
Tanzania's Foreign Affairs Minister said they had agreed that air travel restrictions between the two countries shouldn’t stand.
Kenya and Tanzania have committed to resolving the restrictions on passenger flights by Kenya Airways (KQ) between the two countries within 72 hours.
This follows discussions on Monday between Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi and Tanzania's Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation January Makamba.
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Earlier on Monday, The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) suspended passenger flights from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, effective January 22, 2024.
According to TCAA, the decision was "to reciprocate the decision by the aeronautical authorities of Kenya to refuse the Tanzania request for all cargo flight operations by Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL) under the Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights between Nairobi and Third countries".
TCAA Director-General Hamza Johari, in a statement, explained further, saying, "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."
No cause for alarm
But Mudavadi assured there was no cause for alarm after he held discussions with his Tanzanian counterpart.
"We have jointly agreed that our respective Civil Aviation Authorities will work together to have the matter resolved amicably within the next three days," Mudavadi said.
Makamba said that they had agreed that air travel restrictions between the two countries shouldn’t stand.
"With relevant authorities, we’ve resolved to settle this issue, per existing agreements, within three days," he added.
Kenya's Transport and Roads Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said he is also in discussions with his Tanzanian counterpart Prof Makame Mbarawa in a bid to resolve the matter.
https://twitter.com/kipmurkomen/status/1746975450390315170
KQ had also issued a statement earlier saying it was aware of the TCAA's public notice and was taking action to resolve the issue.
"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," it said.
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