KQ suspends flights to Kinshasa as military unit continues detention of KQ staff

• Kenya Airways (KQ) has suspended flights to Kinshasa starting April 30, 2024, due to the continued detention of its employees
• KQ expressed concern over the prolonged detention of its staff, urging for humane treatment and respectful handling during what it described as “unlawful detention”
• Despite a military court ruling ordering the unconditional release of the detained staff, the relevant authorities have yet to comply

Elijah Ntongai, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, has more than three years of financial, business, and technology research expertise, providing insights into Kenyan and global trends.

Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced the suspension of flights to Kinshasa effective April 30, 2024.

KQ cited the continued detention of its employees by the Military Intelligence Unit in the Congolese capital.

In a statement released on its social media pages KQ expressed concern over the prolonged detention of its staff, urging for their humane treatment and respectful handling during what it termed as “unlawful detention.”

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“The continued detention of our employees has made it difficult for us to supervise our operations in Kinshasa, which include customer service, ground handling, cargo activities, and generally ensuring safe, secure, and efficient operations. We also ask that our staff be treated humanely and respectfully during this unlawful detention” KQ said in a statement signed by CEO Allan Kilavuka.

Kenya Airways reaffirmed its commitment to cooperate with investigating agencies and relevant government entities in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya to resolve the matter.

The airline urged for the release of its employees to ensure due process is respected and to allow them to return to their families without further delay or harassment.

Why KQ staff were arrested

The arrest was linked to an alleged discrepancy in custom documentation for valuable cargo scheduled for transport on a KQ flight.

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However, KQ clarified in an earlier statement that the cargo in question was never accepted or uplifted due to incomplete documentation.

Despite a military court ruling on Thursday, April 25, which ordered the unconditional release of the detained staff, DEMIAP is yet to comply.

In an earlier report by TUKO.co.ke, KQ outlined the facts surrounding the incident, emphasising that the cargo had not been handed over to them and was still undergoing clearance.

Source: TUKO.co.ke