Kenya Lifts Ban On Flights From Dubai

NAIROBI,Kenya, Jan, 25 – Close to a fortnight after Kenya instituted suspension orders, banning all passenger flights from Dubai to Nairobi, the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has now lifted the ban.

KCAA director-general Gilbert Kibe said that the ban was lifted Monday midnight.

The initial decision by Kenya to ban flights from Dubai came in the wake of the latter’s decision to suspend flights to Nairobi despite initial protests.

Dubai had accused Kenyans of possessing fake COVID-19 PCR certificates clearing them for travel despite upon arrival to the country testing positive for the virus.

Ministry of health officers have been accused of participating in the ‘con’ as investigations into the serious allegations continue.

The orders are expected to thereafter be revised based on the course of action both countries take to resolve what appears to be a stalemate that seems to be causing more harm than good.

What Action Did Dubai Take?

Emirates Airlines has extended the suspension order for flights from Nairobi to Dubai after its initial directive expired.

“Customers will not be accepted for travel on Emirates flights at Nairobi during this time. Outbound passenger operations from Dubai to Nairobi remain unaffected,” read a section of the statement.

Earlier in December, the National Authority for Emergency, Crisis and Disaster Management (NCEMA) and the General Civil Aviation Authority had introduced new travel requirements for those coming on direct flights from Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia.

Travellers were required to have a negative COVID-19 test obtained within 48 hours and a Rapid-PCR test at the airport within six hours of the departure.

GCAA called on all travellers affected by the decision to follow up and communicate with the airlines to amend and schedule their flights and to ensure their safe return to their final destinations without any delay or other obligations.

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Raychelle Omamo earlier this month said the two countries were holding discussions in a bid to resolve the stalemate.