Local flights resumed in the country, three months after local airlines grounded operations due to COVID-19.

National carrier Kenya Airways was back to the skies this morning to key destinations of Kisumu, Mombasa and Diani.

This follows a directive from President Uhuru Kenyatta who lifted travel restrictions, also allowing international passenger flights to resume operations on August 1.

Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia said the resumption of local flights will help revive the economy. Most sectors, including tourism are worst affected since March when the first COVID-19 case was confirmed in Kenya, with infections now soaring above 10,000.

Jambojet was the first to return to the skies as it lifted passengers to Eldoret at 7:45 am ahead of Fly 540’s return with an 8am flight to Kisumu.

SafariLink has meanwhile marked its return with a flight into Lodwar while Kenya Airways premiered its return with a flight to the coastal city of Mombasa.

All carriers are expected to follow strict protocols provided by the Ministry of Health including the in flight wearing of masks by passengers and social distancing while boarding and disembarking from flights.