Tanzania lifts KQ ban after Kenya agrees to its demands

In a statement signed by Hamza Johari, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority Director General, the ban on Kenya Airways that was to take place from January 22 has been withdrawn after Kenya heeded to their demands.

"This is to inform the public that the aeronautical authorities of the Republic of Kenya have granted the Fifth Freedom Traffic Right to Air Tanzania Company Limited for all-cargo service as per the request of the United Republic of Tanzania, with effect from January 16, 2024," read the statement.

Tanzania blocked Kenya Airways from flying to Dar citing a reciprocity dispute after Kenya refused a request for all-cargo flight operations by Air Tanzania Company Limited.

"Following this development, the aeronautical authorities of the United Republic of Tanzania hereby withdraw its decision of January 15, 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," said Mr. Johari in the statement.

Following the ban, Kenya and Tanzania announced that they had committed to resolving the row with Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and CS for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi and Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation January Makamba saying they had spoken on the matter.

”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,” said Mudavadi.

Mr. Makamba on his part said: “I spoke to my Kenyan colleague Musalia Mudavadi. 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.”