TSA delays Delta's latest African routes

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – Delta Airlines is waiting to find out when it can operate direct non stop flights from Atlanta to Kenya and Liberia.

The flights were set to begin this week. However, the Transportation Security Administration issued a last minute denial.

TSA says a credible security threat is too significant to allow service to East Africa. It's not the first time Delta service to Kenya has been postponed. Delta originally planned to fly there in 2008. But this is the first time TSA denied a Delta flight at the last minute. The move puzzled Delta officials and airline consultant Mike Boyd. He says the denial came just one day before service to Nairobi, Kenya was supposed to start.

BOYD: "Which would indicate to me something came up or someone dropped the ball at TSA because if there was a problem with security at Nairobi, why did it just come up the day before."

TSA declined an interview but says it will closely monitor the situation. Delta says it hopes the issues are resolved quickly. For now, Delta's U.S. passengers flying to Africa will first have to connect in Europe.