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The swift decision of what was growing right into a battle between Tanzania and Kenya over air journey is laudable. It confirms that the 2 neighbours and key East African Group member states and buying and selling companions have the capability to rapidly settle variations that if ignored may have dire penalties.
Tanzania had banned Kenya Airways flights between Nairobi and Dar es Salaam with impact from January 22, in retaliation for the denial of permission to Air Tanzania Firm Restricted (ATCL) to ferry cargo to and from Nairobi. The Tanzanian authorities noticed this as a violation of a Memorandum of Understanding on air companies signed in 2016.
KQ, which operates 33 scheduled flights per week between the 2 main cities, risked shedding a profitable route. An air journey rights dispute has been simmering for a number of months.
Nonetheless, the intervention of Tanzanian International Minister January Makamba, and his Kenyan counterpart, Prime Cupboard Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, has yielded a fast resolution. The 2 prime ministers agreed that there needs to be no air journey restrictions between them and a 3rd nation, resolving the standoff inside three days. Mr Mudavadi mentioned there needs to be no trigger for alarm as that they had agreed that the civil aviation authorities work collectively.
This needs to be a significant increase for Air Tanzania cargo operations and elevated commerce alternatives between the 2 international locations. The inexperienced gentle to KQ ought to improve regional connectivity for the advantage of enterprise and official travellers.
Kenya has all alongside been the primary buying and selling accomplice for Tanzania within the EAC market. Tanzania’s exports to Kenya have doubled in recent times, and on common account for 70 per cent of its regional commerce. Co-operation in key sectors, together with aviation, is essential.
Although relations between the 2 nations proceed to be characterised by some sibling rivalry, this newest spat has as soon as once more confirmed the necessity for them to work intently collectively for regional progress.
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