Dubai Extends Ban on Kenyan Flights to December 24th

The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) has extended the ban on passenger flights from Kenya.

This follows the expiry of the initial 48-hour suspension that took effect at 9.30 am Kenyan time on Monday.

In an update posted on its website on Wednesday, Emirates airline said the suspension of all inbound flights from Kenya will go on until December 24th.

“As per the directive from Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), all air transport services with inbound and transit passenger movements to the emirate of Dubai from any point in the Republic of Kenya are temporarily suspended up to and including 24th December,” the update reads.

The embargo does not affect cargo freights and outbound passenger operations from Dubai to Nairobi.

The UAE State-owned carrier expressed its regrets over the inconveniences caused by the directive and urged customers to hold onto their tickets until the ban is lifted.

“Affected customers do not need to call us immediately for rebooking. 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,” Emirates added.

On Tuesday, Kenya Airways suspended passenger flights to Dubai in line with the directive. Customers who had booked tickets for travel within the suspension period will get a refund and be allowed to rebook when flights resume.

The suspension followed the introduction of new travel requirements by the DCAA for direct flights from Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia.

Under the new rules, passengers from these countries are required to provide a negative PCR test result done at the airport six hours before departure for Dubai. They are also required to self-quarantine until they received a negative Covid-19 test certificate issued within 48 hours of arrival in Dubai.

The new rules apply to passengers terminating their journey in Dubai and those transiting through the UAE capital.