Emirates Airline has announced that the Kenyan authorities have withdrawn the aviation rights for Emirates Airline to operate a third daily flight from Dubai to Nairobi.

"Emirates can confirm that the approval granted to operate a third daily flight between Dubai and Nairobi has been withdrawn by the Kenyan transport authorities," it said in a statement.

It added that the withdrawal of the already granted approval by the Kenyan transport authorities is surprising given that the valid air services agreement between the two countries allows Emirates to operate flights to Nairobi without any restriction.

"We will engage the Kenyan authorities to address any concern so that our third daily flight can be launched as planned. This does not affect Emirates’ two other daily flights between Dubai and Nairobi which are operating as scheduled," the statement said.