Tanzania has lifted the recent ban imposed on Kenya Airways flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
In a statement, the East African country confirmed that the lift of the ban follows after the aeronautical authorities of Kenya granted Air Tanzania a request for all cargo service access to Nairobi.
"This is to inform the public that the aeronautical authorities of the Republic of Kenya have granted the Fifth Freedom Traffic Right to Air Tanzania for all cargo services as per the request of the United Republic of Tanzania, with effect from 16 January 2024.
"Following the development, the aeronautical authorities of the United Republic of Tanzania hereby withdraw its decision of 15 January 2024 and therefore approve for Kenya Airways to operate Third and Fourth Freedom Traffic Rights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam is hereby restored with immediate effect," the statement read in parts.
The latest comes hours after the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) announced the suspension of Kenya Airways flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
Announcing the suspension, the authority's Director General Hamza S Johari said the move was in retaliation to Kenya's move to block Air Tanzania from operating cargo flights between Nairobi and other countries.
"Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, on behalf of the aeronautical authorities of the United Republic of Tanzania has decided to rescind the approvals for Ken ya Airways (KQ) to operate passenger flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam under Third and Forth Freedom Traffic Rights with effect from 22 January 2024.
"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," Johari said.
Shortly after the announcement,Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation January Makamba, announced that he had spoken with his Kenyan counterpart, Musalia Mudavadi, and they had agreed to resolve the dispute within the next three days.
"I spoke to my Kenyan colleague @MusaliaMudavadi. We agree that restrictions of air travel between our countries and from any of our country to a third country shouldn’t stand. With relevant authorities, we’ve resolved to settle this issue, per existing agreements, within 3 days," Makamba said in a statement on X.
On his part, Mudavadi expressed that there was no need for alarm as he expressed Kenya's commitment to resolving the issue.
"We have jointly agreed that our respective Civil Aviation Authorities will work together to have the matter resolved amicably within the next three days. There should therefore be no cause for alarm," Mudavadi stated.
