Kenya Airways suspends domestic flights

Already constrained in its activity for a year following the global coronavirus pandemic, Kenya, Airways will suspend some of its domestic flights in 5 of the most affected counties.

The measure comes after President Uhuru Kenyatta announced the sine die cessation of all movement by road, train or plane to and from the counties of Nairobi, Kajiado, Machakos, Kiambu and Nakuru. The decision aims to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the country. Kenya Airways said passengers affected by the suspension of a domestic flight can defer reservations or request a refund.

Najib Balala, in charge of tourism in Kenya, said that national and international tourists who must return home via Nairobi have until March 29 at noon to be in Nairobi. Domestic flights will cease from March 29, 2021 at midday in the five counties. “Tourists who are in transit in the country and who have to visit the wonders of Nairobi can only do so until Monday 29 at noon. After this date, they will be confined to Nairobi ”, said Balala.

Kenya Airways, in deficit for eight years, experienced “The worst year in the history of air transport” with a record loss, tripled in 2020 (to $ 329.6 million). She had already stopped her operations from April to August 2020 “Following the Kenyan government directive to suspend all scheduled passenger services outside the country in an effort to curb the spread of the virus.” Its domestic flights officially resumed on July 15, 2020 and international flights on August 1, 2020. In the long term, it relies in particular on its nationalization, launched in July 2019.

© Bob Adams