Tanzania has decided to halt all Kenya Airways (KQ) flights beginning January 22, alleging a reciprocity issue, after Kenya declined Air Tanzania Company Limited’s request for all-cargo flight operations.

Tanzania, in a statement issued by Hamza Johari, Director General of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, cites Kenya’s denial as a violation of Section 4 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services, which the two nations signed in Nairobi on November 24, 2016.

This suspension will have a significant impact on Kenya Airways, which runs several flights to and from Tanzania each week, and people rely on KQ to travel between the two adjacent nations.

“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 2023,” reads a statement released on Monday.

“This is to reciprocate the decision by the aeronautical authorise 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.”

According to the statement, KQ will no longer fly passenger flights between Nairobi and Dar beginning on January 22, 2024.

“The Republic of Tanzania shall always strive to adhere to the principles of the Chicago Convention and Bilateral Air Services Agreement between states.”