Kenya’s national carrier on midnight Thursday 25th March, 2020 suspended all international flights following a government directive on the Coronavirus pandemic. However, cargo flights remain operational to provide supplies and emergency services.
President Uhuru Kenyatta issued the directive on 22nd March, 2020 following a rise in cases of COVID-19 infections in the country.
“We have been forced to reduce our network by over 70% and it had become increasingly difficult to continue offering international passenger services. Today March 22, 2020 the Government of Kenya has issued a directive that requires all incoming and outgoing international passenger traffic to and from Kenya to cease from midnight on 25th March 2020,” Kenya Airways (KQ) Chief Executive Officer Mr. Allan Kilavuka said in a statement.
He added, “We will continue to operate cargo flights particularly so that we are available to offer emergency services or much needed supplies. In the meantime, our domestic flights to Mombasa and Kisumu remain operational”.
KQ further informed the public of their revised policy on zero change fee and cancellation where travellers will get a waiver on change fees on all fares excluding for domestic travel.
The airline stated that the waiver applies to All fare types, including groups and conferences, All Kenya Airways destinations excluding domestic locations, all points-of-sale and all travel up to 30th June 2020. The tickets changes and refunds should be completed by April 31, 2020.
As at 26th March, 2020, 31 positive cases have been reported. The cases are spread out in Nairobi, Kajiado, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale.
