Tanzania has revoked its approval for Kenya Airways, the Kenyan national carrier, to operate flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
This decision by Tanzania’s civil aviation authority is seen as a retaliatory move in response to Kenya’s denial of rights to Air Tanzania, the Tanzanian national carrier, to operate cargo flights between the two nations. The airline dispute highlights the tensions and reciprocity issues between the two East African countries.
In a statement, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) said it decided “to rescind the approvals for Kenya Airways (KQ) to operate passenger flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam…with effect from 22 January 2024.”
“This is to reciprocate the decision by the aeronautical authorities of the Republic of Kenya to refuse the Tanzania request for all-cargo flight operations by Air Tanzania Company.”
The Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) contends that Kenya’s refusal to grant cargo flight rights to Air Tanzania violates a 2016 Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries on air services. In response, Tanzania has withdrawn approval for Kenya Airways to operate flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
In a statement, Kenya Airways said it was aware of the ban on its flights and was engaging aviation authorities in both countries “to find a solution that will ensure there are no flight disruptions between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.”
Kenya Airways is one of Africa’s largest airlines. Tanzania, where attractions include mountains and vast wildlife reserves that teem with game, draws more than a million tourists a year, making it one of its biggest markets.
Air Tanzania, despite being a relatively small airline, in recent years, authorities have been trying to expand its fleet, routes and operations to earn a bigger share of revenues from the region’s aviation business.
This disagreement adds to a series of trade and commercial disputes within the East African Community (EAC), affecting various member states. The clash highlights the complexities within the region’s aviation and trade dynamics.
