Tanzania has withdrawn its earlier decision to suspend flight services between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, according to a statement by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) Director General, Hamza Johari. The decision to lift the suspension comes after Kenya granted the Fifth Freedom Traffic Right to Air Tanzania Company Limited for all-cargo service, effective from January 16, 2024.
In a statement released on January 16, 2023, the TCAA announced the withdrawal of its decision made on January 15, 2024, stating, “The aeronautical authorities of the United Republic of Tanzania hereby withdraw its Decision of 15 January 2024, and therefore approval for Kenya Airways to operate Third and Fourth Freedom Traffic Rights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam is hereby restored with immediate effect.”
The resolution follows discussions between Kenya and Tanzania on January 15, 2023, aiming to resolve a dispute arising from Tanzania’s decision to ban all flights from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam starting January 22, 2024. This ban was implemented in response to Kenya’s denial of permission for Air Tanzania to operate cargo flights between Nairobi and third countries.
Tanzania’s announcement of the flight suspension on Monday evening prompted Kenya Airways (KQ) to issue a statement, expressing awareness of the situation. The TCAA, through Hamza Johari, mentioned that the decision by Kenya was contrary to the Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services signed in 2016 between Tanzania and Kenya.
As a reciprocal measure, Kenya Airways would not be allowed to operate passenger flights to Dar es Salaam beginning January 22, 2024. The Tanzanian authorities emphasized their commitment to adhering to the principles of the Chicago Convention of 1944 and Bilateral Air Service Agreements between states.
Both countries’ officials, including Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs January Makamba, reassured the public through social media that they had engaged in discussions and aimed to resolve the matter amicably within three days.
In response to the situation, Kenya Airways expressed its commitment to finding a solution, stating, “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.”
This recent dispute is not the first time Tanzania has banned Kenya Airways from flying into the country. In August 2020, a similar ban was imposed, citing reciprocity, after Kenya excluded Tanzania from a list of countries whose passengers would be allowed to enter Kenya following the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.
