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.