Summary
- Tanzania has withdrawn approval for Kenya Airways’ flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
- The move is in response to Kenya’s rejection of Air Tanzania’s request for cargo flights between Nairobi and third countries.
- The dispute could impact Kenya Airways’ operations in the region, and efforts are being made to resolve the issue within 3 days.
The Republic of Tanzania, through its civil aviation agency, announced that it is withdrawing Kenya Airways’ approval to operate scheduled passenger flights to Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) in the capital of Dar es Salaam. The Kenyan national carrier and various government officials are making efforts to address this issue within a few days.
Halting flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam
In a public notice dated January 15, 2024, the Director General of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA), Hamza Johari, said that on behalf of the country’s aeronautical authorities, the regulatory body has decided to withdraw the approval of Kenya Airways (KQ) to carry passengers between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam under third and fourth freedom traffic rights.
Photo: Preston Fiedler
This seemingly unprogressive development is effective from January 22, meaning if the issue is not resolved in time, KQ will halt flights between the two East African capitals. The TCAA’s decision is in retaliation to Kenya rejecting its request for the national carrier Air Tanzania to operate fifth freedom cargo flights between Nairobi and other destinations. Part of the public notice read,
“This is to reciprocate the decision by the aeronautical authorities of the Republic of Kenya to refuse the Tanzanian request for all-cargo flight operations by Air Tanzania Company Limited under fifth freedom traffic rights between Nairobi and third countries.”
According to the Director General, Kenya’s decision violated Section 4 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on air services signed between the two states in Nairobi in November 2016. “The United Republic of Tanzania shall always strive to adhere to the principles of Chicago Convention 1944 and bilateral air services agreement between states,” he added.
So, what’s next?
Tanzania is one of Africa’s most visited countries and a leading destination in East Africa. With direct connections to over 12 domestic destinations, Dar es Salaam Airport serves as a key hub for airlines operating in the country. If the Tanzanian authorities’ directive takes effect next week, it could significantly impact Kenya Airways’ operations and air travel in the region. However, will most likely find a solution within the specified timeline.
Immediately after the announcement, the Nairobi-based carrier released a statement highlighting its standpoint. KQ noted that it is aware of the public notice issued by the TCAA and will engage the authorities and respective government agencies to address the issue and ensure there is no service disruption between the two capitals.
Kenya and Tanzania’s government officials have also engaged to find a solution within the next couple of days. On January 15, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, spoke to Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, January Makamba, following the TCAA’s announcement. The latter said on X (formerly Twitter),
“I spoke to my Kenyan colleague Musalia Mudavadi. We agree that restrictions of air travel between our countries and from any of our countries to a third country shouldn’t stand. With relevant authorities, we’ve resolved to settle this issue, per existing agreements, within 3 days.”
UPDATE: 2024/01/16 15:43 EST BY TATENDA KARUWA
TCAA reverses its decision
About 24 hours after the initial announcement, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority has reversed its decision. This follows Kenya’s approval for Air Tanzania Cargo to operate fifth freedom flights between Nairobi and other cities. The TCAA said in a statement,
“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.”
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The aircraft has returned to Dar es Salaam and is expected to resume operations soon.
Flights between Nairobi and Tanzania
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) was the most connected international destination to Dar es Salaam in 2023. According to data from Cirium Aviation Analytics, there were 3,781 scheduled flights between the two destinations (in both directions) throughout the year.
Kenya Airways was the top carrier on the route, with 2,440 flights and 237,327 seats. It currently operates up to 23 weekly flights (one-way) with its 96-seat Embraer 190 aircraft. In addition to the Tanzanian capital, KQ serves Zanzibar (ZNZ) and Kilimanjaro (JRO) with its E190s and B737s.
What do you make of this dispute between Kenya and Tanzania? Please share your thoughts in the comments!