Tanzania has finally lifted a ban on Kenya Airways flights barely hours after the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority suspended the national carrier from flying in its territory.

According to a statement signed by Hamza Johari, Director General of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, the ban on Kenya Airways, scheduled to take effect on January 22, was lifted after Kenya complied with their conditions.

PHOTO | COURTESY KQ

"This is to inform the public that the aeronautical authorities of the Republic of Kenya have granted the Fifth Freedom Traffic Right to Air Tanzania Company Limited for all-cargo service as per the request of the United Republic of Tanzania, with effect from January 16, 2024," the announcement said.

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Tanzania prevented Kenya Airways from flying to Dar, citing a reciprocity disagreement, after Kenya denied Air Tanzania Company Limited's request for all-cargo flight operations.

"Following this development, the aeronautical authorities of the United Republic of Tanzania hereby withdraw its decision of January 15, 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," according to a statement issued by Mr. Johari.

PHOTO | COURTESY KQ

Following the ban, Kenya and Tanzania stated that they had agreed to resolve the dispute, with Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary and CS for Foreign Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, and Tanzania's Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, January Makamba, stating that they had spoken about the issue.

”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,” said Mudavadi.

Mr. Makamba said: “I spoke to my Kenyan colleague Musalia Mudavadi. 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.”