You can now fly to and from Kisumu thanks to resumption of domestic flights after 99 days of closure of air passenger services due to COVID – 19 pandemic.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o this morning received the maiden flight to Kisumu from Nairobi as the country gathers momentum on partial reopening of the economy. Flight KQ602 touched down at the Kisumu International Airport at 11:20 am marking the beginning of the new normal.
Kenya resumes all domestic flights today amid measures put in place to curb the spread of Coronavirus disease. Restriction of movement has impacted negatively both on Kenya’s economy and globally as passengers were reluctant to travel amidst the rising cases of infections. Resumption of activities at the Kisumu International Airport therefore is a clear signal that Kisumu is now open for business.
Speaking at the launch, the Governor reiterated that airport services were and have remained major contributors to the exponential growth of Kisumu Tourism and Business Industries that saw the hotel sector record 85% bed occupancy over the last one and a half years. He highlighted that the hotel industry was the worst hit by the pandemic.
“The industry has lost Sh.1.5 billion in revenue over the past four months, not to mention Sh. 500 million in unpaid salaries and 900 million shillings lost transfers to industry’s service providers”. He said
The effects he says have had a great impact on the county’s own source revenue forcing the county to adapt to new ways of doing business.
Kisumu is at the forefront in the fight against the coronavirus disease and has so far heightened surveillance at all entry points and ensured that all the service providers and the clients in the tourism sector are safe.
Kenya Tourism Board CEO Betty Radier on her part said that aviation is one of the ways that will help unlock the travel and the opportunities around the economy to ensure tourism grows and Kisumu provides opportunity to attract guests. She added that Kenya is lucky to have been awarded through the World Tourism Council with the safe travel destination something important for both the Kenyan tourism consumers and the citizens at large.
Kenya Civil Aviation Director in charge of Safety Tom Ogenche reported that the authority has ensured that all the laid down procedures have been complied with and will ensure that the standards are maintained. He reassured guests that it it is safe to step aboard their aircraft. Some of the safety procedures to be followed include temperature checks, frequent hand washing and sanitizing of surfaces and touch points. He noted that during the preparations towards the resumption, Kisumu International Airport came out number one ahead of Nairobi and Mombasa.
This comes amidst the County’s heightened preparations towards hosting Afri – cities in November 2021.
Joining the Governor were County Ministers Achie Alai and Judith Attyang, officials from KCAA, Kenya Airways, Kenya Tourism Board among other County Officials.
Kisumu International Airport,
15/07/2020
GPU
Governor Nyong’o receiving a shelf model aircraft from KQs Director of Operations Mr. Paul Njoroge
