Kenya Airways (KQ) on Monday, April 29, suspended its flights to Kinshasa effective 30th April 2024.
In a statement to newsrooms, KQ noted that the continued detention of its employees by the Military Intelligence Unit in Kinshasa has made it difficult to supervise its operations.
"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.
"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," part of the statement read.
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KQ recently disclosed that two of their employees were apprehended on Friday, April 19. During their arrest, the national airline explained that their phones were seized, and all access was denied.
"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. However, the said cargo was not uplifted or accepted by KQ due to incomplete documentation," KQ further explained.
In response, the Kenyan government through Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei said, “Kenya takes great exception to the arrest and detention of its nationals lawfully carrying out commercial activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo by authorities in DRC. Our Mission in Kinshasa is engaging actively on the matter. We shall update the public on developments touching on this issue. The government reaffirms its commitment to protecting our citizens working abroad."
