Kenya Airways(KQ) will resume flights to the Democratic Republic of Congo‘s Kinshasa on Wednesday.
KQ says this follows the “unconditional’ release of two of its employees who had been in detention since April 19 by the Congolese Military.
The national carrier suspended its flights to Kinshasa on April 29, noting that the detention of staff had made it difficult for the airline to supervise its operations there.
“With the necessary ground support in place, we are pleased to announce that Kenya Airways will resume flights to Kinshasa on 8 May 2024. We look forward to serving our valued customers once again,” KQ’s Group Managing Director, Allan Kilavuka, stated.
The Congolese Military Intelligence Unit had arrested the KQ staff over missing customs documentation on “valuable” cargo.
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However, the airline protested the detention of its staff, clarifying that the contested cargo had not been uplifted or accepted due to incomplete documentation, maintaining that the detention was unjust.
Kilavuka confirmed the release Monday, thanking all parties who played a role in negotiating their release.
“Special thanks to KQ colleagues who have been on the ground in Kinshasa and those in Nairobi working to secure their release,” Kilavuka said.
