Kenya Airways Suspends Flights To Kinshasa In Response To Detention Of Its Employees

Kenya Airways (KQ) has decided to suspend its flights to Kinshasa  indefinitely, citing the detention of its staff members as the reason. 

Two employees of Kenya Airways were detained by Congo’s military intelligence on April 19, reportedly due to missing customs documentation for certain valuable cargo. The airline  clarified that it refused to accept the cargo because the shipper’s paperwork was  incomplete. 

Despite a military court’s directive for their release to facilitate due process, the airline  stated on Monday that its employees remained in detention. 

Kenya Airways expressed that the prolonged detention of its staff has impeded its ability to  oversee operations in Kinshasa. Consequently, it announced its decision to suspend flights  from Tuesday until it can adequately support these operations. 

“We continue cooperating with the investigating agencies and the relevant government  entities in both DRC and Kenya to ensure this matter is resolved. we ask that the military  courts direction that they be released to allow due to process to be respected so that our  innocent staff can be returned to their families and everyday lives without harassment,” stated CEO Allan Kilavuka in a Kenya Airways statement.