Tanzania has withdrawn permission for Kenya Airways to conduct flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, responding to Kenya’s refusal of cargo flight rights for Air Tanzania.
The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority announced the decision, effective January 22, 2024, as a tit-for-tat measure.
Kenya Airways, a major African airline, is in discussions with aviation authorities from both countries to prevent disruptions on the Nairobi-Dar es Salaam route.
The dispute stems from Kenya’s rejection of Air Tanzania’s cargo flight request, violating a 2016 Memorandum of Understanding on air services between the two nations, according to the TCAA.
The clash compounds existing trade tensions within the East African Community (EAC), a regional bloc with a customs union.
Kenya has previously raised concerns about inexpensive products from Uganda, blocking items like milk and sugar, leading to protests from Kampala.
Additionally, Uganda has taken Kenya to a regional court over a dispute related to the importation of petroleum products.
Despite being a relatively small airline, Air Tanzania has been actively expanding its fleet, routes, and operations in recent years to secure a larger share of the region’s aviation business.
Kenya Airways, a significant player in Africa’s aviation sector, is navigating the current situation to ensure continued flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.
The clash between Tanzania and Kenya adds to the complexity of trade and commercial disputes within the EAC.
