Kenya and Tanzania have agreed to end a stalemate that was affecting their long-standing bilateral relationship. Following talks between President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Tanzanian counterpart, Jakaya Kikwete, Kenya Airways’ flight frequency to Tanzania will resume to 42, up from 14 times a week. Tour vans from Tanzania will also be allowed to pick up passengers from Kenyan airports. At a press biefing, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Ambassador, Amina Mohammed announced: “This means that, with immediate effect, Tanzania-registered vehicles will access the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) as before and Kenya Airways will continue with its normal operations.” Last week, the Tanzanian Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) ordered Kenya Airways to reduce its weekly flights. The carrier began flying only twice daily as a result of the decision. Earlier in the year, Kenya resorted to banning Tanzania tour vans from accessing its airports and tourist sites as set out in the 1985 bilateral tourism agreement. Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism, Phyllis Kandie said that this would guarantee a level playing field, “…since Kenya has honoured her part of the agreement, but has been denied the same opportunity to operate in Tanzania”. Meanwhile, Kenya’s national carrier welcomed the move, describing it as a step forward towards finding resolutions to the problems affecting the Bilateral Air Services Agreements.
Read More: www.cnbcafrica.com/news/east-africa/2015/03/23/kenya-tanzania-stalemate/
