The Kenya National Airways and the Fly Emirates have suspended passenger flights between the United Arabs Emirates (UAE) and Nairobi following Kenya’s suspension of passenger flights from Dubai.

Kenya, in a move that took effect on January 10^th, suspended all inbound and transit passenger flights from the United Arabs Emirates (UAE) to retaliate against a move by Dubai to ban all passenger flights from Kenya last year.

The suspension is valid for an initial period of seven days.

Kenya Airways said passengers who had booked tickets to travel in the affected period can take a voucher for the value of their tickets for future travel up to January 11, 2023, or leave tickets open for future use at no extra charge.

Emirates also asked passengers who had booked after January 11 to travel between the two destinations to hold on to their tickets until a new travel date is announced.

“Affected customers do not need to call us immediately for rebooking. Customers can simply hold on to their Emirates tickets and when flights resume, get in touch with their travel agents or booking office to make new travel plans,” said Emirates Airlines said in a statement.

The suspension of operations by the two airlines does not, however, affect cargo flights that are normally operated by carriers such as Qatar Airways, KQ and Emirates airline from UAE into Kenya.

United Arabs Emirates Dubai announced a 48-hour suspension on all flights from Kenya on December 20, 2021, citing a spike in fake covid19 tests from Kenya.

According to UAE, travelers from Nairobi were testing positive for Covid-19 after arrival in the Middle East nation, despite carrying negative test results.