Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced the suspension of its flights to Kinshasa due to the ongoing detention of its crew by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government regarding a controversial consignment of bank notes.
Effective immediately, the suspension comes as a result of the airline’s inability to effectively support its operations in Kinshasa amid the continued detention of its employees by the Military Intelligence Unit.
“Allan Kilavuka, Managing Director of Kenya Airways, stated, “Due to the continued detention of KQ employees by the Military Intelligence Unit in Kinshasa, Kenya Airways is unable to support our flights without personnel effectively.”
Kilavuka highlighted the challenges faced by the airline in supervising and supporting its operations in Kinshasa, which encompass customer service, ground handling, cargo activities, and ensuring overall operational safety, security, and efficiency.
The decision to suspend flights to Kinshasa, effective April 30, 2024, until the situation is resolved effectively, will have implications for travelers and other airlines servicing the Nairobi-Kinshasa route, including Ethiopian Airlines, Precision Air, ASKY Airlines, and South African Airways.
The crew’s detention stems from an incident where two Kenya Airways staff members were arrested and detained on April 19 over alleged missing customs documentation on valuable cargo intended for shipment on a KQ flight on April 12.
However, the cargo was not uplifted or accepted by the carrier due to incomplete documentation.
Military officers in Kinshasa detained the two employees until April 23, when embassy officials and a KQ team were granted access to visit them.
While DRC officials have not yet commented on the matter, reports suggest that the case revolves around the transportation of $8 million seized before being loaded onto the KQ plane.
The bank allegedly involved, TMB Bank, denied any wrongdoing, stating that the export of banknotes is a common practice among commercial banks and had followed all necessary procedures.
These developments add to the history of diplomatic tensions between Kenya and the DRC, including the recent recall of DRC’s ambassador to Nairobi last December following the creation of a new coalition of Congolese rebels in Nairobi.
The situation underscores the complex dynamics between the two countries and highlights the challenges faced by airlines operating in such environments.
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