The Zambian Aviation Authority has suspended all Kenya Airways flights into Zambia following the denial of authorization for Zambia Airways to operate flights into Nairobi using a wet-leased B737-700 aircraft. This decision comes after the Zambian authorities sought approval from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) to allow Zambia Airways (2014) Limited to operate scheduled flights between Lusaka and Nairobi.
In an official notice addressed to KCAA, the Zambian Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) disclosed that while Zambia Airways had been granted a Foreign Operators Permit by Kenya, permission to operate the specific aircraft, a wet-leased B737-700, was denied.
Efforts to resolve the matter have so far been unsuccessful. The Ministry of Transport and Logistics of Zambia made multiple appeals, including sending a follow-up letter to the Kenyan Ministry of Transport on July 26, 2024, seeking intervention. However, there has been no response from the Kenyan side.
In an attempt to reach a diplomatic solution, the Zambian Ministry of Foreign Affairs met with the Acting Kenyan High Commissioner to Zambia on September 12, 2024. Despite promises of a resolution, the requested feedback has yet to be provided, leaving the matter unresolved.
As a result of the lack of reciprocity and the continued delay in authorization, the Zambian Aviation Authority has enforced the suspension of all Kenya Airways flights into Zambia until the issue is fully resolved.