Only Kenyans who test negative for coronavirus will be allowed to board Kenya Airways planes flying back Kenyans stranded in India and China.
A flight to bring back Kenyans in the UK was scheduled to depart Heathrow Airport in London on May 4.
Another flight from Mumbai, India and Guangzhou in China will depart on May 7 and May 8 respectively.
“London flight is scheduled for May 4 while Mumbai and Guangzhou flights will leave on May 7 and May 8 respectively,” said the airline in a response to Business Daily queries Monday.
Kenya Airways (KQ) added that the cost of the ticket is almost the normal commercial rate despite operating as a chartered flight.
The rates from London were Sh53,495 ($500) for the one-way ticket, Sh46,005 ($430) from Mumbai in India and Sh80,242 ($750) from Guangzhou in China.
In the three countries, KQ will have Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft with a capacity of 335 passengers will shuttle Kenyans back to the motherland between May 4 and May 8.
This is a major reprieve for stranded Kenyans in the UK, China and India as KQ, two weeks ago, charged expatriates more in rates for a one-way ticket in chartered flights.
KQ CEO Allan Kilavuka explained that the cost wasn’t out of range as the airline has to meet other costs which include protection, fumigation and cleaning.
“This is a charter flight. Under normal operations, the cost is spread out. Now it is concentrated on a few flights. There is also the extra cost of protection, cleaning and fumigation,” he said.
Stranded Kenyans in these countries are required to foot the cost of transport and also be in possession of a medical certificate certifying they are COVID-19 free.
