- Flights suspended from 30 April 2024
- Staff still in detention
- KQ Cooperating with governments agencies to resolve the matter
Following the 19 April 2024 arrest of two of its employees on allegations of missing cargo documentation, Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced the suspension of flights from Nairobi to Kinshasa.
Two of the airline’s employees were arrested and are detained by the Military Intelligence Unit known as Detection Militaire des Activities Anti Patrie (DEMIAP). The reason for their arrest was alleged to be missing custom documentation on valuable cargo that was to be transported on a KQ flight on April 12th, 2024. The airline has since categorically denied uplifting the cargo or accepting it on the account of incomplete paperwork.
In a position statement signed by the airline’s Chief Executive Officer, Allan Kilavuka, the airline announced suspension of the flights due to inadequate staff to serve the flights. “Due to the continued detention of KQ employees by the Military Intelligence Unit in Kinshasa, Kenya Airways (KQ) is unable to support our flights without personnel effectively. As a result, we reached a difficult decision to suspend flights to Kinshasa effective 30th April 2024 until we can effectively support these flights”.
Kilavuka further commented, “The continued detention of our employees has made it difficult for us to supervise our operations in Kinshasa, which include customer service, ground handling, cargo activities, and generally ensuring safe, secure, and efficient operations. We also ask that our staff be treated humanely and respectfully during this unlawful detention”.
Kenya Airways has apologised to their customers for this abrupt flight suspension adding that the customers and staff safety is the airline’s priority. “We sincerely apologize to our customers for any inconvenience caused by this situation. We assure you that your safety and well-being, as well as that of our staff, is our number one priority”.