NAIROBI, March 5 (Xinhua) -- Kenya Airways has announced special repatriation flights between Nairobi and Dubai, following the partial reopening of Dubai International Airport (DXB) amid the Middle East crisis.
The national carrier operated special flights from Nairobi to Dubai on Wednesday, and return flights were due on Thursday, following guidance from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) authorities permitting limited repatriation operations.
"This follows the guidance by the UAE authorities on the resumption of limited operations at Dubai Airport on March 2, with a small number of flights permitted to operate from DXB strictly for repatriation purposes," the carrier said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The airline said the services are not part of its regular schedule but are strictly designated for repatriation, noting that the flights will cater to customers who are citizens or residents of the UAE seeking to travel between Nairobi and Dubai.
Passengers have been urged not to proceed to DXB until Kenya Airways has communicated a confirmed departure date and time.
Customers have also been urged to check their flight status on the airline's website and update their contact information to receive direct communication on any changes.
The move came as several airlines have suspended flights to the Middle East until further notice following the closure of multiple airspaces in the region due to the ongoing crisis in the region.
On Sunday, Kenya Airways said that its scheduled flights KQ310 and KQ305, as well as freighter flights, were affected after UAE authorities restricted operations at DXB from Monday, allowing only a limited number of repatriation flights. ■
