Govt Extends Dubai Flights Ban

The entrance of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in August 2017.
The entrance of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in August 2019.
Kenyans.co.ke

The government has extended the suspension of all inbound and transit passenger flights from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

In a statement by the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Director General, Gilbert Kibe, and dated Tuesday, January 18, Kenya will extend the UAE ban for a further seven days.

Kibe stated that the ban will be in effect until the impasse between Kenya and the UAE is resolved.

He stated that the suspension will remain in effect until January 24.

Skyscrapers in Abu Dhabi, the Capital City of United Arab Emirates.
Skyscrapers in Abu Dhabi, the Capital City of United Arab Emirates.
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The ban is in response to a similar directive by the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) on December 20 last year.

"We have extended the suspension of flights to the UAE because we have made no progress in the talks. The talks have been happening and are still ongoing, but we are doing this in reciprocation of the similar ban. This is what the government has decided to do,” Kibe stated.

Last week Kenya suspended all inbound and transit passenger flights from the United Arabs Emirates (UAE) for seven days.

This was a retaliation move against Dubai which banned all passenger flights from Kenya due to alleged fake Covid-19 vaccination certificates.

"Inbound and transit passenger flights from UAE are suspended for a period of seven days. We are doing this to reciprocate a ban on Kenyan passenger flights to UAE," Kibe stated.

Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) had issued a travel ban to Kenya which took effect on December 20, 2021, at 10:30 am. 

Reports claimed that there was a scheme involving a racket of unscrupulous officials from the Ministry of Health who colluded with travelers to issue fake Covid-19 PCR results to facilitate travel to Dubai.

On Monday, Dubai reviewed its red list and Kenya was not among the countries removed. 

“With effect from January 13, Emirates will resume passenger services to and from Guinea (CKY), Cote d’Ivoire (ABJ), Ghana (ACC), Uganda (EBB) and Republic of Angola (Luanda),” read a statement from the UAE.

The United Arab Emirates.
The United Arab Emirates.
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