Tanzania has removed its approval for Kenyan national carrier: Kenya Airways to operate flights between the Kenyan capital, Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital, according to a statement by its civil aviation authority, on Monday.
The Tanzanian government had said that the decision was taken in recrimination for Kenya’s denial of rights to Tanzania national carrier Air Tanzania to operate cargo flights between the two countries.
In a statement, Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority –TCAA, said it decided “to withdraw the approvals for Kenya Airways to operate passenger flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, to take effect from 22 January 2024.”
But, in separate statements posted on X on Monday evening, the Kenyan and Tanzanian foreign ministers said that both countries would work together to figure out the issue within three days.
Kenya Airways has revealed that it was aware of the ban and was currently engaging aviation authorities in both countries to find a solution to prevent flight disruptions between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
Kenya Airways is one of Africa’s largest airlines. Tanzania, where attractions include mountains and vast wildlife reserves that teem with game, attracts over a million tourists a year, making it one of its biggest markets.
Although Air Tanzania is a small airline, authorities have steadily been trying to enlarge its fleet, routes and operations so they can earn a bigger share of revenues from the region’s aviation business.
