The Somalia Civil Aviation Authority  yesterday stopped a Kenya airways flight from taking off at Mogadishu Aden Adde airport as it gave the airline 48 hours to respond to allegations of discrimination against Somali passengers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi.  According to a letter from the Somali authority to the Kenyan national carrier and copied to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) a group of Somali passengers were left stranded at JKIA for three days causing them significant delays.

Further the SCAA says the distressed passengers did not receive any form of assistance and accommodation unlike other international travellers including the elderly and children terming this incident as a repetition by the airline.

“Such situations not only question about adherence established regulations and international standards  for passengers care but also impact the trust and cooperations between the two organizations,” SCAA said in the letter.

According to sources at Aden Adde airport the matter was resolved within an hour of the plane’s arrival with the flight departing to Nairobi.