Kenya Airways has reduced its frequency of flights to Entebbe by 25 percent following high cases of Covid-19 in Uganda and strict government containment measures, which have reduced demand on the route.
The airline has reduced the number of flights from 12 a week to nine, citing low loads on the route as passengers are kept off the route.
Kenya Airways now joins other airlines which have reduced demand on the route, citing high cases of Covid-19 in Uganda and strict government containment measures.
“There is a third wave in Uganda and we have had to restrict our flights by cutting on frequencies,” said Mr Allan Kilavuka, Chief Executive Officer Kenya Airways.
Uganda is one of Kenya Airways’ most frequently used routes within the region and low demand is expected to impact the airline’s earnings.
In June, Emirates Airline suspended passenger flights from Uganda to Dubai until further notice, responding to a UAE government directive which stopped Ugandans traveling to the region.
Later, Rwanda Air too suspended flights to and from Entebbe International Airport.
Local media however reported that Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) are yet to get an official communication about Kenya’s decision to cut flights.
A report by Business Daily indicates that KQ has cut the number of flights from 12 a week to nine citing low loads on the route as passengers keep off the route.
Mr Allan Kilavuka said the emerging waves of the virus has severely impacted on the carrier as each time they start picking up, countries announce outbreak of new waves. He said restriction on the UK route, which is one of the lucrative destination in Europe has also impacted on the airline’s revenue.
Uganda is at the moment battling the third wave that has led to a total lockdown in the landlocked nation with restriction on movement from one district to another.
The carrier resumed the UK route last Saturday with one flight a day but Kenyans are still restricted from travelling there as Nairobi has been placed under the red list.
