Kenya Airways has suspended its flights to Kinshasa over the detention of its employees in the Democratic Republic of Congo This follows the detention of two KQ staff in Kinshasa by DRC military for missing customs documentation on valuable cargo.
In a statement, Managing Director Allan Kilavuka stated that the detention of staff has made it difficult for the airline to supervise its operations in Kinshasa and asked the two employees to be treated humanely and respectfully during their detention.
“We reached a difficult decision to suspend flights to Kinshasa effective 30TH April 2024 until we can effectively support these flights,” KQ said.
“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.”
Kilavuka said that the DRC military has since confiscated the phones of its staff and denied access to them over the alleged cargo that was to be transported on a KQ flight on April 12.
“We continue to work diligently with authorities to seek the release of our innocent staff so they can reunite with their families and resume their normal lives,” KQ said.