Domestic carriers resume to the skies in new normal

Domestic and regional carriers Wednesday resumed to the skies after four months of dormancy in the containment of Covid-19.

At least five domestic carriers graced the skies Wednesday morning amid strict health protocols laid by the Health Ministry.

Transport Ministry Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said domestic flights would open the way for the scheduled return of international flights from August 1.

The CS was speaking at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport(JKIA) where he flagged off the flights.

“These local flights will be the benchmark of success because if we don’t do it properly, the opportunity to fly internationally will be reversed,” said CS Macharia.

Leading carrier Kenya Airways flagged its KQ655 and KQ602 from Nairobi to Kisumu and Mombasa respectively.

Kenya Airports Authority marketing manager Jimmy Kibati assured passengers that KAA is observing full health protocals.

“Today as we are open up all our Airports, I would like to assure the public that KAA has put in place all the recommended health & safety protocols and we are ready to reconnect with our airport users,” said Kibati.

At Kisumu, Governor Ayang Nyong’o received the flight KQ655 at Kisumu International Airport and later flagged it off back to Nairobi.

KQ’s sister carrier Jambo Jet flew to Kisumu and Mombasa as it opens more flights in coming days.

That moment when…#KQ655 touched down in the beautiful city of Kisumu to a water salute. #KisumuDala #TheMagicAwaits #KQClearForTakeOff @magicalkenya @KenyaAirports pic.twitter.com/heuG2dz6jA

— Kenya Airways (@KenyaAirways) July 15, 2020

SafariLink headed to Lodwar in the first flight as others to Diani, Lamu and Vipingo were scheduled for the day.

Skyward Express announced its first flight to Mombasa from Nairobi would also be Wednesday mid-morning.

Fly540 left Nairobi for Eldoret where it was welcomed back with a water cannon salute.