Zambia V Kenya Airways Woes
By Dickson Jere
A fierce fight has erupted between Zambia and Kenya over the highly profitable and busy Lusaka – Nairobi route. Daggers are out and drawn as each country is trying to flex its muscles over protecting their national carriers – Zambia Airways and Kenya Airways (KQ).
Zambia, which recently relaunched a national airline (2014), has decided to service the Lusaka – Nairobi route via Dar in Tanzania. This is the route predominately serviced by Kenya Airways.
And it is a busy route!
So, the Kenyan government had authorized Zambia Airways to join this route and all permits given. Passengers even booked seats on this inaugural flight to Nairobi. However, last minute, the Kenyan government revoke the permit on grounds that the Zambia Airways plane was in fact Ethiopian. It is registered in Ethiopia too!
In other words, the Kenyans believe it is Ethiopian Airlines trying to get into this market using the backdoor route of Zambia Airways. But Tanzania has allowed Zambia Airways to fly into Dar without problems.
For starters, Zambia Airways is owned by Ethiopian Airlines (45 percent) and the Zambian government through IDC (55 percent). So, by all intent and purposes, Zambia Airways is majority owned by Zambia! Or on paper at least…
Zambia has decided to reiterate! It has given notice to Kenya that Kenya Airways will not be allowed to fly into Zambia effective Monday, 8th October, 2024. Reciprocal approach – Zambia argues. This, if implemented, will have a chilling effect on aviation between the two countries. But Kenya Airways will definitely be the loser! It has an established market and clients while Zambia Airways has not even started servicing this route.
My point is that Kenyan Airways must prevail over its government and do the right thing. If it can service the Lusaka- Nairobi route, why not allow competition through Zambia Airways? What is good for the gander is good for the goose!
I hope the leaders of the two countries will quickly talk and avert the Monday crisis as Kenya Airways has a number of passengers flying into Zambia (Lusaka, Ndola and Livingstone). Tourism may be affected as the two countries continue to flex political muscle over each other!
Simply, Kenya must allow our national carrier- Zambia Airways – to equally service the Nairobi – Lusaka route. Let the passengers choose which airline to use. That is what competition does…justice for all! I support the position taken by Zambia.
