Passengers at the Nairobi terminus going to board the SGR passenger train to Mombasa./ Players in the aviation, rail and long-distance passenger service vehicles are anxious about a return to operations as the government mulls over a partial re-opening of the economy from next week.
While unveiling the Sh54 billion economic recovery plan, President Uhuru Kenyattta said: “We cannot be under a curfew or lockdown forever.”
Last week, Transport CS James Macharia said Kenya Airways is expected to commence passenger operations on Monday (June 8), which in the domestic market can only be possible if the cessation of movements in and out of Nairobi and Mombasa is lifted.
A meeting between the government and private sector, chaired by Interior CS Fred Matiang’i hinted the government is considering reducing curfew hours to between 9 pm and 5 am.
It also plans to open inter-county movement on a controlled programme and open up travel including domestic airlines, airports, trains and train stations, buses, and tour vehicles.
With indications of te reopening Kenya Airways, the Standard Gauge Railway and public transport players mainly long-distance operators are gearing up to resume operations.
KQ, as it is known by its international code, is preparing to commence scheduled domestic flights from Nairobi to Mombasa, Kisumu and Eldoret.
Since the ban on local and international flights in March, the 7 pm-5 am nationwide curfew KQ grounded most of its 36 aircraft.
They include nine Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 10-Boeing 737 aircraft, and 17 Embraers.
CEO Allan Kilavuka has since said the airline will commence with less frequency when skies open, before expanding.
“We start with domestic and regional flights at a reduced frequency and then introduce some long haul at reduced frequency and change based on demand,” Kilavuka said.This will be a boost to the airline which has been losing an estimated Sh9.3 billion in revenue monthly after the suspension of flights.A week ago, it announced a net loss of Sh12.9 billion for the financial year ended December 31, 2019.Jambojet is also preparing to take back to the skies.“Operations will resume once the ban is lifted. As at now, we plan on starting operations on June 8, ” management told the Star, “We will start with the local destinations.”Ticket prices are currently starting at Sh4,800.Airkenya plans to resume starting on July 1.“Due to the uncertainty regarding the reopening of international borders coupled with the fact that most of the lodges in the destinations that we fly into […]