This archive report was first published on 15 July 2020.
On July 15, 2020, Transport CS James Macharia flagged off the first Kenya Airways flight to Mombasa at 10:10 am, marking the resumption of domestic flights in Kenya after a three-month suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at the airport, Macharia emphasized the importance of adhering to safety measures, stating, "We now look forward to the international flights but let’s make sure that these local flights are the benchmark of success. If we don’t do it correctly, the opportunity to fly internationally may be reversed," he warned.
As early as 5:00 am on the same day, the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi was bustling with activity as KQ, Jambojet, and Safari-link prepared for the resumption of local flights. Despite the cold weather, passengers from all over flocked to the airport, eager to experience the skies again.
Airport authorities took precautionary measures to ensure the safety of both travelers and crew, including long screening queues, social distancing stickers on the floors, and reminders to wear masks at all times.
Passengers who were at the airport early reported that the check-in process was slower than usual due to the safety measures in place. Before boarding the plane, airline crew reminded passengers to keep their masks on, and while there would be no social distancing observed inside the planes, passengers were required to wear masks for the duration of the flight.
According to Transport CS James Macharia, airlines would not have to drastically reduce the number of passengers to fly, as carrying less than 75% of their passenger capacity would incur more losses. All planes had undergone maintenance during the suspension period, ensuring standard safety measures.
The national carrier, KQ, is estimated to have incurred $100M in losses since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the stoppage of flights. The resumption of flights will boost the tourism sector, which has incurred huge losses, with international flights set to resume on August 1.
