Kenya on Wednesday resumed domestic flights three months after airlines suspended operations due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This comes after President Kenyatta lifted travel restrictions last week and ordered the resumption of local and international flights on July 15th and August 1st respectively.
Kenya Airways, Jambojet, Safari Link and FLY 540 are among local airlines that took to the skies on Wednesday after the 99-day hiatus.
Two KQ flights left for Moi International Airport in Mombasa and Kisumu International Airport after being flagged off by Transport CS James Macharia. Macharia said the resumption of local flights is key to reviving the economy.
“We now look forwards to the return of international flights. These local flights will be the benchmark of success because if we don’t do it properly, the opportunity to fly internationally will be reversed,” said Macharia.
Some of the protocols include passengers wearing masks at all times, social distancing, seats, and toilets being cleaned and fumigated frequently and ensuring blankets are used only once.
KQ will operate two flights daily to the coastal city of Mombasa and one to Kisumu before making a decision on whether or not to increase frequencies based on various factors including demand and safety.
Jambojet, Fly 540, and SafariLink flights ferried passengers to Eldoret, Kisumu and Lodwar respectively on Wednesday.
