Kenya, Tanzania to solve aviation dispute in three days
Tanzania and Kenya have agreed to promptly resolve the imposed travel restrictions on each other’s airlines, Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, January Makamba said on Monday.
The decision comes in response to Tanzania’s earlier move to suspend all Kenya Airways passenger flights connecting Nairobi and Dar es Salaam from January 22, 2024.
The dispute stems from Kenya’s denial of Air Tanzania’s request to conduct cargo flights between Nairobi and third countries.
In an official statement, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) asserted that this denial violated Section 4 of the 2016 Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services between the two nations. TCAA Director General Hamza Johari clarified the decision, citing Kenya’s refusal as the reason for the temporary suspension.
Makamba confirmed engaging in discussions with Musalia Mudavadi, the Kenyan Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, expressing confidence in resolving the matter within three days.
Both ministers assured that their respective civil aviation authorities would collaborate to amicably settle the issue, emphasizing there is “no cause for alarm.” The agreement reflects a commitment to uphold existing agreements and foster continued cooperation in air travel between Tanzania and Kenya.
