This archive report was first published on 3 August 2020.
On Saturday, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) marked a significant milestone with the arrival of Lufthansa, British Airways, and KLM flights at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), the first international flights to land in Kenya since the country reopened its airspace.
According to Alex Gitari, the Acting Managing Director of KAA, the Authority had lost 80 percent of its business due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a devastating impact on the aviation industry.
"The COVID-19 pandemic is a global crisis of unprecedented proportions, affecting all airport users, the aviation sector workforce, and the whole supply chain," Mr. Gitari said.
Mr. Gitari noted that the resumption of international flights is a significant milestone for the aviation industry, which has been severely affected by the pandemic.
"We have not had international flights for 120 days, and this resumption will also boost the fortunes of KAA," he added.
As part of its efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19, KAA has implemented various measures, including the installation of thermal screening equipment, provision of handwashing and sanitization stations, and the provision of Port Health observation rooms.
Passengers arriving in Kenya will be required to present a COVID-19 certificate, which must have been obtained not earlier than 96 hours before their flight. They will also be subjected to thermal screening and will be expected not to exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms.
"At the airport, passengers will be observed by our port health personnel for COVID-19 symptoms, and they are also expected to have filled a questionnaire. There is an app that has been issued to guide passengers on filling that questionnaire before they arrive," Mr. Gitari explained.
