In what is reported to be a tit-for-tat move, Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) suspended all Kenya Airways (KQ) passenger flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam with effect from January 22.

Kenya Airways, the flag carrier airline of Kenya, operates 33 scheduled flights per week between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.

As reported by The Citizen newspaper, the suspension of KQ passenger flights is in response to Kenya’s recent rejection of Tanzania’s request to allow its airline, Air Tanzania Company Limited (ATCL), to operate cargo flights between Nairobi and 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.

As noted, 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.”

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.