Rwanda has suspended all arriving and departing commercial passenger flights for 30 days, with effect from 20th March 2020, including it own national carrier, Rwandair.
The sudden move seeks to curb the spread of the COCID-19 virus, with the country already reporting 11 confirmed cases.
According to Rwandair, all affected passengers have the option of re-booking with the airline so as to travel at a later date, or ask for a refund if not willing to delay their travel.
However, cargo and emergency flights will still operate as usual.
RwandAir had already suspended flights to and from China on 31st January 2020, and also to Israel and India.
Locally, Kenya Airways has suspended flights to various destinations including Malindi, Rome, Geneva, Guangzhou, Djibouti, Mogadishu, Khartoum, Bangkok, and also reduced frequencies to destinations such as London, Dubai, Johannesburg, Kigali and Paris.
Rwanda’s decision comes barely a day after the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported that airlines worldwide might need up to $200 billion in state aid, so as to survive the COVID-19 pandemic.
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