Uhuru Opens Kenyan Airspace Both Locally And Internationally

President Uhuru Kenyatta has opened up the local airspace for passenger travel from Wednesday, July 15, 2020, provided they “follow the guidelines put down by the Ministry of Health.”

The announcement by President Kenyatta means most low-cost air transport providers will kick off their operations on Wednesday. The planes will also ensure that passengers observe social distance meaning the number of passengers in a plane will be less, potentially increasing the cost of ticketing.

At the same time, President Uhuru Kenyatta has opened up the airspace for international travel starting August 1, 2020. This means that Kenyans and other passengers will be able to fly in and out of the country starting in August 2020.

Kenya Airways had said that it is ready to resume flights but warned Kenyans that the ticketing might be expensive given that planes will be currying fewer passengers than before.

Challenges of opening up the international airspace

Kenyans and other citizens to fly in and out of Kenya will increase the potential of more infections in the country. With the current slow testing capability of the country, the situation is likely to get worse.

The president has failed to mention the measures put in place in the event that the cases will increase. He also failed to mention whether the government through the Ministry of Health will increase the testing capacity in order to check on the spiking of the virus.

As Kenyans plan to travel in and out of Nairobi and other counties, many Kenyans expected President Uhuru to issue guidelines as a requirement for one to have a Covid-19 certificate before being allowed to travel.

“We need to be our brother’s keeper. If you travel to the village and get your people infected, you will have yourself to blame. Not the government,” said the head of state.