The aviation industry can now breathe a sigh of relief after President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered the resumption of local and international flights – By Gerald Gekara.
In his early afternoon address at his Harambee House office complex, president Uhuru Kenyatta penned 15th July for the resumption of Local flights and 1st. August for international flights.
The move is expected to revive operations at Kenyan airports, which have remained shut for the past 4 months.
Thousands of staff who had been laid off in order to reduce expenditure among jet companies are scheduled to come back to work under new terms, as airline chart paths in rediscovering profits.
Neighbouring Tanzania and Rwanda had already reopened their airspaces.
However, travelers will first have to comply with laid down guidelines on coronavirus.
Flights will be required to submit certifications from the Ministry of Health, before disembarking for their flights.
Owing to the terminations, a majority of local and international couriers had resorted to cargo freight in order to keep their fleet in the air.
In its projection for 2020 financial year in Aviation, International Air Transport Association (IATA) said airlines are expected to lose $84.3 billion in 2020 for a net profit margin of -20.1%.
Revenues will fall 50% to $419 billion from $838 billion in 2019. In 2021, losses are expected to be cut to $15.8 billion as revenues rise to $598 billion.
“Financially, 2020 will go down as the worst year in the history of aviation. On average, every day of this year will add $230 million to industry losses. That’s why government financial relief was and remains crucial as airlines burn through cash,” said Alexandre de Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
