Kenya Airways (KQ) has suspended its flights to Kinshasa effective April 30, 2024, citing the continued detention of its employees by the Congolese military in Kinshasa. 

The decision comes after two KQ employees were arrested at Kinshasa International Airport (FIH) on April 19, 2024, by the Military Intelligence Unit (Etat-Major des Renseignements Militaires, formerly known as DEMIAP) of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. According to the airline, the employees remain detained with limited access to communication despite military court orders for their release. 

“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,” Allan Kilavuka, Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and CEO said in a statement. “As a result, we reached a difficult decision to suspend flights to Kinshasa […] until we can effectively support these flights.” 

The employees were arrested over allegations of missing customs documentation for valuable cargo. KQ claims that the airline had yet to accept the cargo due to incomplete documentation from the logistic handler and that the arrest occurred while the cargo was still in the baggage section.