Tanzania govt lifts suspension on Kenyan flights

The government of Tanzania has made a turnaround on its decision to ban Kenyan carriers from operating within its airspace following the resolution of a new two-month long spat.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) said it has lifted the suspension of all Kenyan operators including Kenya Airways, Fly 540 Limited, SafariLink Aviation and AirKenya Express Limited.

The end of the blockade follows the inclusion of Tanzania on the ‘safe flights list’ ending the requirement to have arrivals from the country enter a 14-day mandatory quarantine upon landing in Kenya.

“This is to confirm that the Government of the Republic of Kenya through a circular issued by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) on September 15 removed the requirement of 14 days mandatory quarantine for all arriving passengers from the United Republic of Tanzania,” noted TCAA.

“The resumption and restoration of flights for all Kenyan operators is with immediate effect and the KCAA has been informed accordingly.”

Kenya’s decision to leave out Tanzania from its ‘safe-flight list’ upon the resumption of international air travel on August 1 triggered the feud with Tanzania protesting the non-inclusion.

Attempts by Transport CS James Macharia to iron out the differences with his Tanzanian counterpart hit a brick wall as Tanzania held its ground.

Kenya has continued expanding its list of exemption from the 14-day quarantine rule and currently allows nationals from 147 countries to enter its borders on loosened restrictions.

The government of Kenya had established the protocols as a COVID-19 containment measure.

The end of the impasse with Tanzania is expected to mark relief for the domestic carriers operating between the pair of countries including the popular Zanzibar route.