Kenya, Tanzania agree to resolve flight row in three days

Kenya and Tanzania late Monday announced that they had committed to resolve a row that earlier saw Kenya’s southern neighbour suspend flights from Nairobi to its capital Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania announced the suspension of all Kenya Airways (KQ) flights beginning January 22, citing a reciprocity dispute after Kenya refused a request for all-cargo flight operations by Air Tanzania.

The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority termed Kenya's refusal as a breach of Section 4 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services between the two countries signed on November 24, 2016, in Nairobi.

Through social media posts published in the evening, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary (CS) and CS for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi and Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation January Makamba said they had spoken on the matter.

The ministers said they resolved to settle this issue within three days.

“I have this evening spoken to H.E. @JMakamba (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania, with regard to the decision of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority to rescind the approvals for Kenya Airways to operate passenger flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam with effect from 22nd January 2024,” Mudavadi wrote on X.

”We have jointly agreed that our respective Civil Aviation Authorities will work together to have the matter resolved amicably within the next three days. There should therefore be no cause for alarm.”

Makamba on his part said: “I spoke to my Kenyan colleague  @MusaliaMudavadi. We agree that restrictions of air travel between our countries and from any of our country to a third country shouldn’t stand. With relevant authorities, we’ve resolved to settle this issue, per existing agreements, within 3 days.”

Before the two ministers’ announcements, Kenya Airways (KQ) said it was engaging civil aviation authorities and relevant government agencies in Kenya and Tanzania to find a solution to the matter.

“Kenya Airways (KQ) 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,” said the national carrier in a statement.

“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.” 

Kenya’s transport minister Kipchumba Murkomen also said he had begun talks with his Tanzanian counterpart Makame Marawe to resolve the matter.

Murkomen termed Tanzania a close trade ally of Kenya, adding that he was hoping a solution would be reached soon.

Kufuatia hatua ya Tanzania kusitisha safari za ndege za Kenya Airways nchini humo, nimeanzisha majadiliano ya mara moja na Waziri wa Uchukuzi wa Tanzania Ndugu yangu Profesa Makame Mbarawa kutatua suitafahamu hiyo.

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