Kenya and Tanzania announced that they had agreed to settle a dispute resulting in Tanzania suspending flights from Nairobi to its city, Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania announced the suspension of all Kenya Airways (KQ) flights on January 22, alleging a reciprocity disagreement after Kenya denied Air Tanzania's request for all cargo flight operations.

PHOTO | COURTESY Mukamba and Mudavadi 

The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority described Kenya's refusal as violating Section 4 of the two nations' Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services, signed on November 24, 2016, in Nairobi.

Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary (CS) and CS for Foreign Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, and Tanzania's Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, January Makamba, stated on social media that they had discussed the issue.

The ministers stated that they intend to resolve this matter within three days.

"I have this evening spoken to H.E. @JMakamba (MP), Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania, with regard to the decision of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority to rescind the approvals for Kenya Airways to operate passenger flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam with effect from 22nd January 2024," Mudavadi said in a tweet.

PHOTO | COURTESY KQ flights

”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.”

Makamba said: “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.”