Transport cabinet secretary (CS) Kipchumba Murkomen has responded after the government of Tanzania banned Kenya Airways passenger flights to the country.

In a statement posted on his X account on January 15, Murkomen explained that he has started negotiations with Tanzania’s Minister for Transport to resolve the matter.

The Transport CS emphasized the need for the stalemate to be solved within the shortest time possible since Tanzania is Kenya’s neighbour and economic partner. 

“Following Tanzania’s decision to suspend Kenya Airways flights in the country, I have initiated a discussion with the Minister of Transport of Tanzania, Professor Makame Mbarawa to resolve the matter,” Murkomen stated.

“Tanzania is our neighbour and great economic partner and a solution to this matter will be found soon,” he added. 

Murkomen added that Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi has also held discussions with his  Tanzania’s counterpart January Makamba to ensure the matter is solved amicably.

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This was after the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority on Monday, January 15 banned the Kenya Airways flights from operating between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.

According to the Director General of Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority Hamza Johari, the flights were banned under Third and Fourth Freedom Traffic Rights with effect from January 22, 2024.

The ban was in retaliation after Kenya aeronautical authorities rejected Tanzania’s request for all-cargo flight operations by Air Tanzania Company Limited.

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“Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, on behalf of the aeronautical authorities of the United Republic of Tanzania, has decided to rescind the approvals for Kenya 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 is to reciprocate the decision by the aeronautical authorities of the Republic of Kenya to refuse the Tanzanian request for all-cargo flight operations by Air Tanzania Company Limited under Fifth Freedom Traffic Rights between Nairobi and Third countries, contrary to Section 4 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services, between Tanzania and Kenya signed on 24 November 2016 in Nairobi, Kenya,” read part of the notice from the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority.

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However , Kenya Airways has stated that it was working closely with government agencies in Tanzania to avoid disruption of flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam.