The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has rejected Ethiopian Airlines’ bid to fly to Brussels through Kenyan airspace from Johannesburg.

The aviation authority denied the airline a license to operate passenger business on Johannesburg-Nairobi–Brussels route without disclosing a reason. “KCAA denied Ethiopian Airlines the license it applied for; only Ethiopian Airlines can apply to be informed of the reasons,” said Gilbert Kibe, KCAA Director-General.

Local media reported that KCAA’s move to deny the carrier the license is saving Kenya Airways from an imminent battle for passengers in the African airspace. According to reports, Ethiopian Airlines wanted to fly B757 aircraft on the new route.

Ethiopian Airlines has experienced fast growth recently, prompting the carrier to revise its ambitious 15-year strategy of 2010, and buy more planes to step up its rapid expansion.

It had planned to more than double its fleet to 120 aircraft, and become Africa’s biggest airline by 2025; but rapid growth has seen it expand its fleet to 100 planes seven years ahead of target.