Tanzania Bans Kenya Airways Flights to Dar es Salaam

By Samuel Ouma

The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has suspended Kenya Airways flights from operating between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, effective January 22, 2024.

In a statement, TCAA Director General Hamza Johari said this was after the aeronautical authorities of the Republic of Kenya refused 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 Johari, Kenya’s action to block cargo flights was contrary to Section 4 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services, between them, signed on November 24, 2016, in Nairobi.

“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, contrary to Section 4 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services, between Tanzania and Kenya signed on November 24 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya,” read the statement in part.

Johori also emphasized Tanzania’s commitment to adhere to the Chicago Convention of 1944 principles and the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between States.

The new development is set to disrupt movement between the two countries as Kenya Airways operates 33 scheduled flights between the two cities.