This archive report was first published on 19 May 2020.
Kenya's aviation lockdown, implemented to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, has led to a significant drop in jet fuel consumption. According to data from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority, only 7.7 million litres of jet fuel were consumed in April, a staggering 85 percent decrease from the 54 million litres consumed in March.
The lockdown, which began on April 6, has severely impacted the aviation industry, with airlines forced to suspend operations and limit their routes. President Uhuru Kenyatta has since extended the partial lockdown for another three weeks, with the freeze now expected to last until June 6.
Airlines have taken to social media to update their passengers and business partners on the extended freeze in operations. Jambojet, for instance, announced that it would extend its temporary suspension of operations, cancelling all flights for the period.
The prolonged lockdown has resulted in a significant decline in jet fuel sales, with marketers facing three straight months of reduced sales and badly affecting their revenue streams. The situation has been further exacerbated by a significant cut in consumption of petrol and diesel, which have failed to attract more consumers despite a fall in pump prices.
Motorists have been forced to park their cars as the lockdown in major towns, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, and Madera, remains in force, despite pump prices sinking to their lowest in close to four years.
Even with the drop in pump prices, petrol consumption dipped sharply last month, with motorists buying 41.5 million litres less.
