KQ suspends flights between Kenya and UK

KQ has suspended flights between Kenya and UK effective April 9 at midnight until further notice.

The national carrier cited a government directive saying, “The suspension is due to the directive given by the Government of Kenya suspending all flights from the UK.”

In a press statement, Kenya Airways announced the addition of two more repatriation flights on 7 and 8 April, “due to increased demand for travel to the UK before the advisory takes effect on April 9.”

On Saturday, Kenya Airways issued a statement saying that it had added two flights on April 4 and 8 to meet increased demand for travel to the UK before the European Country’s travel advisory takes effect on April 9.

“Due to the increased demand for travel to the UK before the advisory takes effect on April 9, we have added 2 new flights on April 4 and 8,” read the statement from KQ.

The UK will not accept foreign nationals travelling from or via Kenya to the UK, including transit passengers who might only pass through JKIA, Nairobi.

On April 3, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a travel advisory for visitors coming into Kenya from the United Kingdom a day after the European country gave notice to travellers originating from Kenya.

On Friday, April 2, the UK issued a statement saying that from April 9, visitors who have been in or transited through Kenya in the previous 10 days will be denied entry into England, says UK Embassy citing Covid-19 risks.

“There are new restrictions for entering the UK from Kenya. From 0400 UK time on 9 April, visitors who have been in or transited through Kenya in the previous 10 days will be refused entry into England,” read a tweet from the UK Embassy in Kenya.

British, Irish, and third-country nationals with residence rights arriving in England from Kenya will be required to quarantine in a government-approved facility for 10 days. However, different rules apply for arrivals into Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Kenya’s addition to the UK’s Red List will take effect on Friday, April 9, at 4:00am UK time.