Tanzania, on January 16, 2023, rescinded its decision made just a day earlier to suspend flight services between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. The reversal was announced by Hamza Johari, Director General of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA). This decision came in light of Kenya granting the Fifth Freedom Traffic Right to Air Tanzania Company Limited for all-cargo service, set to take effect from January 16, 2024.
The TCAA statement mentioned, “Following this development, the aeronautical authorities of the United Republic of Tanzania hereby withdraw its Decision of 15 January 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.”
On January 15, 2023, a dispute arose between Kenya and Tanzania after the latter decided to ban all flights from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam, effective January 22, 2024. This move was a response to Kenya’s refusal to permit cargo flights by Air Tanzania between Nairobi and third countries. Both countries resolved the issue through Kenya granting Fifth Freedom Traffic Right to Air Tanzania Company Limited for cargo services.
The reciprocal dispute originated when Tanzania suspended all Kenya Airways (KQ) flights from January 22, citing Kenya’s denial of cargo flight operations by Air Tanzania. TCAA, through its Director General Hamza, stated that the decision by Kenya violated the Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services signed on November 24, 2016.
As a result of this dispute, Kenya Airways would not be allowed to operate passenger flights to Dar es Salaam from January 22, 2024. The Tanzanian authorities emphasized their commitment to adhere to the principles of the Chicago Convention 1944 and Bilateral Air Service Agreements between states.
Both countries’ officials, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs January Makamba, assured the public that the matter would be resolved amicably within three days. The engagement between the Civil Aviation Authorities of both nations was emphasized to find a lasting solution.
Kenya Airways responded promptly, stating that they were in discussions with civil aviation authorities and relevant government agencies in both Kenya and Tanzania to ensure no flight disruptions between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
This incident is not the first time Tanzania has banned Kenya Airways from flying into the country, revealing a recurring issue in the relationship between the two neighboring nations. In August 2020, Tanzania took a similar step, citing reciprocal measures after Kenya excluded Tanzania from a list of countries permitted to enter Kenya following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
