An Emirates Airlines plane. FILE PHOTO | NMG The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Monday issued the order extending the Dubai fights suspension until January 24, 2022 after the two nations failed to reach a settlement.
KCAA director-general Gilbert Kibe says he has opened talks with his counterpart in Dubai to lift the ban failing which he would extend the suspension.
This comes barely a few days after UAE extended its ban on passenger flights from Kenya after it reportedly established that travellers from Nairobi were testing positive for Covid-19 after arrival in the Middle East nation despite carrying negative test results.
Kenya has extended the suspension of all inbound and transit passenger flights from the United Arabs Emirates (UAE) by another week after Dubai failed to lift a ban on air travellers from the East African nation.
The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Monday issued the order extending the Dubai fights suspension until January 24, 2022 after the two nations failed to reach a settlement.
KCAA director-general Gilbert Kibe told the Business Daily that he had opened talks with his counterpart in Dubai to lift the ban failing which he would extend the suspension.
The initial suspension, which had been in place since last Monday, expired yesterday at midnight.
“I have corresponded with the director-general of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and I’m waiting for his feedback before the close of business today (yesterday),” said Mr Kibe Monday.
“If they don’t respond before 5 pm today (Monday), I will extend Dubai–Nairobi passenger flight suspension effective midnight.”
Kenya last Monday suspended all inbound and transit passenger flights from UAE to retaliate a move by Dubai to ban all passenger flights from the East African nation over fake Covid tests.
The ban does not, however, affect cargo flights that are normally flown by carriers such as Kenya Airways and Emirates from the UAE into Kenya.It comes barely a few days after UAE extended its ban on passenger flights from Kenya after it reportedly established that travellers from Nairobi were testing positive for Covid-19 after arrival in the Middle East nation despite carrying negative test results.Mr Kibe said the racket involved private medical testing centres that colluded with travellers to issue fake Covid-19 PCR results to aid their travel to Dubai.The Ministry of Health has launched a probe on the matter with a view to bringing to book health officials involved in the fraud that has now cost Kenya […]