Coronavirus: Kenya Airways cancels international flights as cases soar across Africa

Disruption expected to cost the company US$125 million, International Air Transport Association says

Number of infections in Africa has increased 12-fold over the past week to more than 2,400 and 64 deaths

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Kenyan Airways has suspended all of its international routes as the fight against Covid-19 hots up in Africa. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:30pm, 25 Mar 2020Updated: 10:49pm, 7 Apr 2020

National airlines across Africa have announced sweeping flight cancellations as countries close their borders in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

In Kenya, which had 25 confirmed cases as of Tuesday, Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe said on Monday that all international flights would be halted from Wednesday.

“All international flights are suspended effective Wednesday, March 25, 2020 at midnight with the exception of cargo flights whose crew must observe strict guidelines,” he said.

Flag carrier Kenya Airways confirmed the suspension, while its chief executive Allan Kilavuka said earlier that he would be taking an 80 per cent pay cut to help offset the economic impact of the move. All other staff would have their wages cut by 25 to 75 per cent during the suspension, he said.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said the disruption to flight schedules would cost the airline – which is about 50 per cent state-owned – 622,000 passengers and US$125 million.

As in many other parts of the world, the number of confirmed infections in Africa has rocketed in recent days, from fewer than 200 a week ago to 2,412 and 64 deaths as of Wednesday.