Kenya Airways (KQ) has finally succumbed to pressure by suspending flights to Ebola-hit Liberia and Sierra Leone where a combined death of 761 have been recorded. The suspension will take effect from 12:00am on Tuesday, August 19, 2014, the national carrier announced on Sunday.
“This operational decision effective Tuesday August 19, 2014 midnight is based on the situation risk assessment by Kenya’s Ministry of Health,” said Titus Naikuni CEO of Kenya Airways.
Although criticisms have been rife over KQ’s earlier decision to continue flying to cities with cases of the Ebola virus, the airline had remained adamant,riding on the back of a release by World Health Organisation (WHO) that advised airlines to continue flying to affected states.[eap_ad_2]
The country’s Members of Parliament had however slammed KQ’s decision, and had accused the airline of ‘putting profit before people’.
KQ, partly-owned by Air France – KLM, flies to Monrovia and Freetown, the capital cities of Liberia and Sierra Leone respectively, seven times a week via Ghana. Flights will continue to Ghana and Nigeria, according to the airline.
The airline,which said it will reimburse passengers who had pre-booked and paid for flights on the cancelled dates, said its actions were taken ” in the interest of public safety for both our guests and staff.” (VENTURES AFRICA)[eap_ad_3]