New Europe Airport Restrictions Hit Kenyan Travellers Hard

Demand for summer flights to various European destinations coupled with labour shortages on the continent have combined to affect plans of travellers all around the world – with Kenya not spared.

Several airlines including national carrier Kenya Airways are cutting flights and making adjustments to manage their capacity following directives from a number of airports capping passengers to cope with demand. Demand for flights has been driven by factors including a surge in travel after the Covid-induced downturn.

Schiphol, a major hub in Amsterdam in June announced that it was capping passengers it would accept at around 70,000 passengers a day until September, the end of summer – about 16% (or 13,500 seats per day) less than airlines had planned. Kenya Airways’ outbound passenger capacity was capped by the airport at 22 percent per flight forcing KQ to fly with empty seats.

The move by Schiphol was informed by labour shortages affecting the adequacy of security workers and baggage handlers among other workers. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled since April.

Heathrow Airport, the busiest airport in the United Kingdom, more recently capped passengers who can depart from the airport to 100,000 daily as it grapples with labour shortages amid high demand. It directed airlines to freeze outbound bookings until September.

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Kenya Airways has since suspended the sale of tickets for the London-Nairobi route. It may be forced to cancel flights.

In a statement on its website, Kenya Airways also advises their passengers using the Schiphol Airport to make adjustments to their plans and arrive four hours early.

“Flights departing from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol are now experiencing operational challenges, resulting in lengthy delays at the airport. We recommend arriving at the airport four hours before to the flight’s departure.”

“Depending on the day and time, wait times may vary,” the company noted.

The restrictions are expected to affect KQ’s recovery strategy as the summer period usually attracts more international tourists to Kenya among other travellers.

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