This archive report was first published on 20 April 2020.
On April 20, 2020, Kenya Airways sought state approval for a set of coronavirus rules aimed at exempting its crew from mandatory quarantine upon returning from overseas trips.
The protocol, which outlines crew safety measures, is awaiting approval from the Ministry of Transport.
Kenya Airways' 283 cabin crew remain in mandatory quarantine, costing the airline Sh80 million in occupancy bills, forcing the carrier to ground some of its cargo planes due to a shortage of flight staff.
According to Kenya Airways chief executive Allan Kilavuka, the issue of quarantine has instilled fear in employees when they see fellow colleagues being held after flying.
"The protocol that we have developed highlights how we shall ensure that our crew will follow strict guidelines that will protect them from contracting the disease. It shows how we are going to protect our members," said Mr. Kilavuka.
Some of the measures include checks on the crew before and after leaving the country, use of full body protective gears, thorough disinfection of the equipment, and controlled movement while in foreign countries.
Kenya Airways is now betting on cargo shipment via passenger planes, especially for long haul, amid a rise in demand for freight, notably to Europe.
