This archive report was first published on 16 May 2020.
Kenya Airways is set to resume flights, but air travel is unlikely to be cheap, according to the airline's CEO, Allan Kilavuka. Speaking during a strategy meeting organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Kilavuka noted that the industry will undergo significant changes as countries implement new policies and plans to adapt to the post-coronavirus era.
With 55 to 65 percent of people traveling for leisure, airlines are missing out on a significant source of income between May and December. Kilavuka estimated that between 51 and 76 percent of the market will be lost as business travelers are the first to resume travel.
Additionally, the social distancing measures between seats on planes will result in a spike in the cost of air tickets to cover for the empty seats. The airline's boss also noted that the mandatory wearing of face masks by air passengers and crew, as well as airport staff wearing protective gear, will become the new norm.
According to Tourism PS Sophia Kwekwe, the government is banking on domestic tourism to boost the hospitality industry. Kwekwe added that road and train travel will pick up first, with the government working on opening up regions that have not been as popular as parks and the Coast.
“Travel is not going to be cheap. 55-65% of people travel for leisure. Therefore we are going to lose 51-76% of our market between now and December as business travellers are the ones that are going to travel first,” Kilavuka said. — Ministry of Tourism & Wildlife-Kenya (@Min_TourismKE) May 14, 2020
