The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) has welcomed the move by Tanzania to lift the ban on Kenyan flight operators into their country.
KATA Chief Executive Officer Ms. Agnes Mucuha stated that the lifting of the ban is great news to travel agents and their clients.
“We are excited at the lifting of the ban on flights to Tanzania. Our passengers were greatly affected as they had to suddenly cancel pre made travel plans which were greatly anticipated after the lifting of the international travel restrictions imposed due to Covid-19. Now passengers willing to travel to Tanzania can book their travel through their trusted and certified KATA Travel Agent,” she said.
The ban was lifted after the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority issued a circular indicating the removal of the required 14 days of mandatory quarantine for arriving passengers from Tanzania.
On August 26, 2020, the Tanzanian aviation authority banned three Kenyan airlines- The Air Kenya Express, Fly 540 and Safarilink Aviation- from flying into Tanzania in retaliation to Kenya issuing the directive on mandatory Covid-19 quarantine.
The Director General, Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority Mr Hamza Johari said, “ In view of that (the lifting of the mandatory quarantine) and on a reciprocal basis, the United Republic of Tanzania has now lifted suspension for all Kenyan Operators namely Kenya Airways, Fly 540 Limited, Safarilink Aviation and Air Kenya Express Limited”.
“The resumption of flights for all Kenyan operators is with immediate effect and the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority has been informed accordingly,” He added.
Mr. Johari said that Tanzania will always strive to adhere to the fundamental principles of Chicago Convention 1944 and Bilateral Air Services Agreement between the two states.
In July, Tanzania banned Kenya’s national carrier Kenya Airways from flying in in retaliation against Kenya’s move to remove Tanzania from a list of countries that had been allowed to resume travel into Kenya after the resumption of international flights from August.
