Zambia suspends Kenya Airways flights over landing rights dispute

Zambia’s Civil Aviation Authority has announced the suspension of all Kenya Airways flights to Lusaka, effective October 8, 2024, at 21:59 Universal Coordinated Time.

This decision comes after the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority delayed granting landing rights to Zambia Airways in Nairobi.

According to Zambia’s Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority, Derrick Luembe, the suspension results from the KCAA’s unresponsiveness to Zambia Airways’ application for scheduled flights from Lusaka to Nairobi.

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Despite being granted a Foreign Operators Permit, Zambia Airways was denied authorization to operate flights into Nairobi using a wet-leased Boeing 737-700 aircraft.

Luembe stated that the Zambian CAA appealed to the KCAA to reconsider their decision, but received no response. Multiple attempts were made to resolve the issue through diplomatic channels, including a meeting with the Kenyan Acting High Commissioner to Zambia on September 12, 2024, and written requests to Kenya’s Transport minister in July.

The lack of reciprocity and response from the KCAA led Luembe to announce the suspension of Kenya Airways flights into Zambia. This move underscores the importance of cooperation and reciprocity in international aviation agreements.

“The Zambian CAA appealed to the KCAA to reconsider their decision and allow Zambia Airways (2014) Limited to fly into Nairobi with the wet-leased B737-700 aircraft,” he said.

“Considering the lack of response and reciprocity on the matter of Zambia Airways (2014) Limited flights into Nairobi, 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 October 8, 2024,” Luembe stated.