Kenya Airways has today Monday 29th April, made an announcement stating that it would halt its flights to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) effective immediately. This decision comes as a response to the ongoing detention of two of its employees by Congo’s military intelligence.
The saga began on April 19 when the DRC’s military authorities detained two Kenya Airways staff members. Read Here for earlier story. The reason cited for the detention was an alleged failure to complete customs documentation for certain valuable cargo. Despite a court order mandating their release, the airline asserts that the employees remain in custody.
In a statement released by the CEO, Kenya Airways expressed deep concern over the situation. The airline highlighted the critical impact of the employees’ detention on its ability to conduct operations in Kinshasa effectively. This includes managing customer service, ground handling, cargo activities, and ensuring overall operational safety and efficiency.
The airline’s CEO, Allan Kilavuka, emphasized the challenges posed by the continued detention. He stated,
“Due to the continued detention of KO employees by the Military Intelligence Unit in Kinshasa, Kenya Airways (KO) is unable to support our flights without personnel effectively.”
The statement further highlights that Kenya Airways underlines its commitment to the well-being of its staff and urged authorities to treat the detained employees humanely and respectfully. The airline apologized to its customers for any inconvenience caused by the suspension of flights to Kinshasa and assured them that their safety remained a top priority.
Customers affected by the suspension were directed to contact Kenya Airways’ customer excellence team for assistance. The airline also pledged to cooperate with investigating agencies and relevant government entities in both the DRC and Kenya to resolve the matter swiftly.
CEO, Kilavuka reiterated the airline’s plea for the release of its employees to ensure due process and allow them to return to their families and normal lives without further delay.
The suspension of flights to Kinshasa serves as a stark reminder of the complex challenges faced by international businesses operating in regions where legal and regulatory issues can significantly impact their operations.
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