Dubai Bans All Inbound Passenger Flights from Kenya for 48 Hours
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has banned all inbound and transit flights from Kenya for 48 hours.
The directive took effect on December 20th at 9.30 am Kenyan time but the reason for the suspension was not disclosed.
Cargo freights as well as passenger flights from Dubai to Nairobi are not affected by the embargo.
“Please be informed that the operations of all air transport services for inbound and transit passenger movements to Emirates of Dubai from any point in the Republic of Kenya are temporarily suspended for 48 hours effective December 20, 2021,” reads a notice from the Dubai authorities.
In a statement, Emirates Airline said the suspension was in line with a directive from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA).
"Customers will not be accepted for travel on Emirates flights at Nairobi during this time. Outbound passenger operations from Dubai to Nairobi remain unaffected," the carrier announced.
The UAE national carrier urged customers affected by the suspension to hold on to their tickets and redeem them when the suspension is lifted.
"Customers can simply hold on to their Emirates ticket and when flights resume, get in touch with their travel agent or booking office to make new travel plans," the statement adds.
The ban comes amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country since the detection of the highly infectious Omicron variant last week. On Sunday, Kenya reported 1,372 new coronavirus infections from a sample size of 5,635, putting the positivity rate at 24.4 percent.
Last week, Dubai added Kenya to its red alert list following the confirmation of the Omicron variant. This means persons traveling to the Gulf state from Kenya will face stricter travel requirements to enter the country.
Comments (8)
Haki ya Mungu sis nyeusi tuko na shida! Have they banned US or UK where omicron is spreading like wildfire? Kenya tuko na kadhaa tu and they banned us? Ngai fafa
Kenyans are thieves. Those who aren't are thieves in waiting.
This is an attribute of monkeys. They copy what humans do. They steal and fight over anything; stupid monkeys!
Ineo! You better sleep with one eye open; I am coming to steal you blind including your dreams.
This is how the Arab world thinks of us KENYANs. But they're letting flights from USA, China and Europe in.
Why the double standard?
@Kora Kanini. It is not just Arabs who despise African people but the non-black world as a whole. Even in the Dharavi slums of Mumbai where toilets are unheard of they still think they are better than an African Ph.D. holder or an African MD.
@Kora Kanini. It is not just Arabs who despise African people but the non-black world as a whole. Even in the Dharavi slums of Mumbai where toilets are unheard of they still think they are better than an African Ph.D. holder or an African MD.
Why 48 hours? How does that help anything?
South Africa must change name to something else without Africa in it. Pandemic has helped Africa looks at itself in the mirror and know she is on her own. She must develop with speed to gain respect