DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania
In a tit-for-tat move, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has suspended all Kenya Airways (KQ) passenger flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam with effect from January 22, 2024.
Kenya Airways operates 33
scheduled flights per week between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
This is in response to Kenya's
recent rejection of Tanzania's request to allow its airline, Air Tanzania
Company Limited (ATCL), to operate cargo flights between Nairobi and third
countries.
The TCAA cited the Kenyan
authorities' refusal as a violation of Section 4 of the Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) on Air Services signed between the two countries in 2016.
This section provides for reciprocal treatment of airlines from both countries.
"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," stated TCAA Director General Hamza S. Johari in a
public notice.
Johari further emphasised
Tanzania's commitment to international aviation regulations and bilateral
agreements, stating, "The United Republic of Tanzania shall always strive
to adhere to the principles of Chicago Convention 1944 and Bilateral Air Services
Agreement between States."
The sudden suspension of KQ
flights is expected to significantly impact passengers travelling between the
two countries.
Thousands rely on this route
for business, tourism, and family connections. While alternative airlines
operate on the route, the loss of KQ's flights will undoubtedly lead to reduced
options and potentially higher fares.
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. Both
Tanzania and Kenya stand to lose from this disruption, particularly the tourism
and business sectors.
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