Tanzania Reinstates Kenya Airways Flights to Dar es Salaam Following Cargo Rights Agreement

Tanzania’s Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) has swiftly reversed its decision to revoke Kenya Airways (KQ, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta) passenger traffic rights for the Nairobi to Dar es Salaam route. This reinstatement comes just a day after the initial ban was imposed, following a successful negotiation that granted Air Tanzania (TC, Dar es Salaam) the sought-after fifth-freedom cargo traffic rights by Kenya.

In a statement, the TCAA announced, “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.”

This positive outcome was reached after the Kenyan aviation authority granted Air Tanzania unlimited fifth-freedom traffic rights for all-cargo services between the two countries, effective from January 16, 2024.

The dispute initially arose on January 15, when the TCAA imposed a ban on Kenya Airways’ passenger flights, scheduled to commence the following week. This action was taken in response to Kenya’s refusal to permit Air Tanzania to conduct cargo flights between the two neighboring East African countries.

Air Tanzania’s cargo operations are primarily conducted by its single Boeing 767-300F aircraft was acquired in mid-2023. Flight data from Flightradar24 ADS-B indicates that this freighter is routinely employed on the Dar es Salaam-Nairobi route and has also operated flights from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro.

The quick resolution of this dispute highlights the importance of cooperative aviation agreements in the region and underscores the critical role of air connectivity in fostering economic and social ties between Kenya and Tanzania. The restoration of Kenya Airways’ flights to Dar es Salaam is a positive development for travelers and the aviation industry in both nations.