Kenya has given in to a demand by the Tanzania government that saw the national carrier Kenya Airways get banned from flying to Dar es Salaam.
Air Tanzania has now been granted the Fifth Freedom Traffic Right for all-cargo services. This will now allow the airline to pick up and drop off cargo in Kenya as part of its international flights.
Kenya granted Air Tanzania the rights a day after the ban was announced by the Tanzania government.
Tanzania issued a ban on all flights from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam by Kenya Airways after Kenya’s recent rejection of Tanzania’s request to have its airline Air Tanzania operate cargo flights from Nairobi to third countries.
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“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,” TCAA Director General Hamza S. Johari had said in a public notice.
“The United Republic of Tanzania shall always strive to adhere to the principles of Chicago Convention 1944 and Bilateral Air Services Agreement between States.”
The ban had been the latest incident to betray Kenya’s diminishing regional dominance, and Kenya’s fast change of heart on the issue has raised fears among critics that Kenya might be subject to future arm twisting by the Tanzanian government.
“This development demonstrates the spirit of cooperation and understanding between Tanzania and Kenya,” said Johari after the lifting of the ban.
“We are confident that this decision will further strengthen aviation and trade relations between our two countries.”