As a reciprocal action for Kenya declining Tanzania’s recent request to grant permission for Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), the national airline of Tanzania, to conduct cargo flights between Nairobi and other nations, Tanzania has suspended Kenya Airways flights.
Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) announced that effective January 22, 2024, it has suspended Kenya Airways’ 33 weekly flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, which is expected to have a dire effect on travellers commuting between two nations.
The TCAA declared that the Kenyan authorities’ denial constitutes a breach of Section 4 of the Air Services Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both nations in 2016. This specific section stipulates the necessity of equal treatment for airlines from both countries.
In a statement released by the TCAA and signed by Hamza Johari the Director General Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, it stated, “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 22 January 2023.”
“This is to reciprocate the decision by the aeronautical authorize 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 2016 in Nairobi Kenya.”
“The Republic of Tanzania shall always strive to adhere to the principles of the Chicago Convention and Bilateral Air Services Agreement between states.”
