Kenya Airways (KQ) has issued an update after the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority suspended all its flights in Zambia, effective October 8, 2024.
In a statement on Saturday, October 5, KQ confirmed receiving a letter from the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority, which was sent to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
The airline stated that it has engaged in discussions with the Zambian authorities regarding the issue, and flights to and from Zambia will resume following these talks.
“Following discussions between the two regulators, we would like to assure our customers that our flights into and out of Zambia will continue to operate per schedule,” KQ said.
“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused.”
Kenya Airways Issues an Update of Its Flight to Zambia
Kenya Airways further urged individuals seeking further assistance to contact its customer excellence team via phone at +254711024747, WhatsApp at +254705474747, or on X @KQSupport.
In a letter dated October 2, the Zambia Civil Aviation Authority informed the KCAA of its decision to suspend KQ’s flights. The suspension was due to the denial of authorization for Zambia Airways to operate flights into Nairobi using a wet-leased B737-700 aircraft.
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This occurred despite Zambia Airways having been granted a Foreign Operators Permit by Kenya. The authority added that efforts to resolve the matter had so far been unsuccessful.
“The Zambian CAA made an appeal to KCAA to reconsider their position and grant Zambia Airways (2014) Limited the required authorisation to fly into Nairobi using the wet leased B737-700 aircraft,” read the statement in part.
“The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has maintained the same position of not granting authorization to Zambia Airways (2014) Limited.”
The statement added, “Considering the lack of response and reciprocity on the matter of Zambia Airways (2014) Limited flights into Nairobi- Kenya, I regret to inform you that all Kenya Airways flights into Zambia are hereby suspended with effect from time 21:59 Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on 8th October 2024.”
KQ operates two daily flights from Nairobi to Lusaka, Zambia. This includes a one direct morning flight and an afternoon flight that has a stop-over in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Also Read: Zambia Suspends Kenya Airways Flights
Tanzania Earlier suspending KQ Flights
Similarly, in January this year, Tanzania Aviation suspended all KQ flights due to a reciprocity dispute after Kenya denied a request from Air Tanzania Company Limited for all-cargo flight operations.
In a statement, Hamza Johari, the Director General of the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority, cited Kenya’s refusal as a breach of Section 4 of the Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services signed between the two countries on November 24, 2016, in Nairobi.
However, Tanzania later reversed its decision to suspend flight services between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam after Kenya granted Air Tanzania Company Limited the Fifth Freedom Traffic Right for all-cargo service.
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