Kenya Airways offers free tickets to Kenyans in U.S ahead of last flight

Kenya Airways is now offering complimentary tickets to Kenyan citizens in the United States who want to fly back home as the last flight is set to depart New York on Tuesday.

This comes after the government announced that all international flights would be suspended effective Wednesday midnight as a means of combating the coronavirus (Covid-19).

KQ, in a statement on Tuesday, announced that the one-way tickets were up for grabs to any Kenyans in need, urging them to reach out on +1(866)5369224 for more information.

The airline further announced that the passengers would be subjected to screening procedures as instituted by the Ministry of Health.

In a statement on Sunday, KQ said cargo flights will however remain operational to offer emergency services and supplies.

“…the Government of Kenya has issued a directive that requires all incoming and outgoing international passenger traffic to and from Kenya to cease from midnight on March 25, 2020,” said KQ Managing Director and CEO Allan Kilavuka.

“To comply with this directive, we have therefore temporarily suspended all international services effective midnight 25th March 2020, until further notice.”

He noted that domestic flights to Mombasa and Kisumu will remain operational, adding that the company has been forced to reduce its network by over 70% which made it difficult to continue offering international passenger services.

Customers affected by the suspension of flights have been advised that they will be able to change their bookings for later travel or exchange their booking for vouchers for future travel within 12 months.