Julius Kiprop
Zambia has stopped all Kenya Airways (KQ) flights to and from the country, beginning October 8, 2024. The suspension comes after Kenya refused to allow Zambia Airways to fly into Nairobi using a wet-leased aircraft
In a letter dated October 2, 2024, issued to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA), Zambia’s Civil Aviation Authority stated that Kenya has given Zambia Airways a Foreign Operators Permit. Despite multiple appeals, the KCAA denied Zambia Airways’ application to operate flights into Nairobi utilizing a wet-leased Boeing B737-700.
Efforts to address the issue, including an appeal from Zambia’s Ministry of Transport and Logistics to Kenya’s Ministry of Transport on July 26, 2024, have so far failed. Zambia’s Aviation Authority declared that they had explored all channels for obtaining the required authorization.
The suspension of KQ operations, which include two daily flights from Nairobi to Lusaka, one direct and the other with a layover in Harare, Zimbabwe, may have serious consequences. Thousands of customers who rely on these flights to travel between the two countries are likely to be affected.
The disagreement centered on Kenya’s refusal to allow Zambia Airways to use the wet-leased aircraft, despite several diplomatic attempts to address the matter. The problem is still unsolved, as both aviation agencies stand
