Our Reporter
Nairobi
Kenya Airways has joined other airlines in cutting flights destined to Entebbe as Covid-19 third wave takes its toll on Uganda.
In June, Emirates Airlines suspended passenger flights from Uganda to Dubai until further notice, responding to a UAE government directive that stopped Ugandans traveling to the region.
Later, Rwanda Air too suspended flights to and from Entebbe International Airport.
Kenya Airways and the other airlines are citing high cases of Covid-19 in Uganda and strict government containment measures, which have reduced demand on the route, as causes for the reduction in the flights.
However, when contacted on Kenya’s decision, the head of Communication at the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), Mr. Vianney Luggya said they are yet to get an official communication about Kenya’s decision to cut flights.
Luggya added that to curb the further spread of the new coronavirus wave, UCAA restricted flights from India.
A report by Business Daily indicates that KQ has cut the number of flights from 12 a week to nine citing low loads on the route as passengers keep off the route.
Uganda is one of the key routes for Kenya Airways with the most frequencies within the region and low demand is set to impact the carrier’s earnings.
“There is a third wave in Uganda and we have had to restrict our flights by cutting on frequencies,” said Mr. Allan Kilavuka, Chief Executive Officer Kenya Airways.
He said the emerging waves of the virus have severely impacted the carrier as each time they start picking up, countries announce the outbreak of new waves.
Uganda is at the moment battling the third wave that has led to a total lockdown in the landlocked nation with restrictions on movement from one district to another.
Mr. Kilavuka said the restriction on the UK route, which is one of the lucrative destinations in Europe has also impacted the airline’s revenue.
The carrier resumed the UK route last Saturday with one flight a day but Kenyans are still restricted from traveling there as Nairobi has been placed under the red list.
