Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority has banned Kenya Airways from operating flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.

• Tanzania suspends Kenya Airways flights after Kenya blocked cargo operations.
• At present, Kenya Airways operates 33 scheduled flights per week between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
• The sudden suspension of KQ flights is expected to significantly impact passengers travelling between the two countries.

Tanzania has notified blocking of the Kenya Airways passenger flights from operating the Nairobi-Dar es Salaam route as retaliation, which is said to be a Reciprocity dispute. 

TCAA has announced the suspension of all Kenya Airways (KQ) passenger flights between Nairobi & Dar es Salaam effective Jan 22, 2024. 

"Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, on behalf of the aeronautical authorities of the United Republic of Tanzania, has decided to rescind the approvals for Kenya Airways (KQ) to operate passenger flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam under Third and Forth Freedom Traffic Rights with effect from 22 January 2024," the statement read.

Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority is suspending Kenya Airways flights between Nairobi & Dar es Salaam in retaliation for Kenya's refusal to grant Air Tanzania all-cargo flight operations between Nairobi & Third countries.

The TCAA cited the Kenyan authorities' refusal as a violation of Section 4 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Air Services signed between the two countries in 2016. This section provides for reciprocal treatment of airlines from both countries.

"This decision is based on the principle of reciprocity, following the refusal by the Kenyan authorities to grant approval for ATCL's cargo flights despite the clear provisions of the MoU," stated TCAA Director General Hamza S. Johari in a public notice.

Johari emphasised Tanzania's commitment to international aviation regulations and bilateral agreements, stating,

"The United Republic of Tanzania shall always strive to adhere to the principles of Chicago Convention 1944 and Bilateral Air Services Agreement between States."

Earlier, in August 2020, Tanzania banned KQ flights for a brief period after Kenya excluded Tanzanians from a list of countries whose citizens could enter without Covid-19 quarantine restrictions.

Kenya Airways that operates 33 scheduled flights per week between Nairobi & Dar es Salaam, said that it is aware of the public notice issued by the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, and is engaging with authorities to find a solution.