European Volcanic eruptions felt in Kenya

By John Harry Ndeta
NAIROBI, Kenya_ APRIL 10_Volcanic eruptions in Iceland have caused massive transport delays not
just in Europe but all across the world. The dust emanating from the volcanic eruption has rendered the European air unsafe and all flights going through Europe have been cancelled.

Scientific explanations to the phenomenon last experienced in the 1980’s aver that the eruption was an impact of global warming due to diminishing levels of glaciers.

In Kenya, the effects of the volcanic dust are massive with huge economic implications.  Kenyan economy greatly depends on export of horticultural products notably fresh flowers to Europe and cancelation of flights and continued delays is recording unprecedented losses.

Thousands of Flower farm workers have been suspended and the ripple effects of the volcanic dust are hitting hard on the ordinary Kenyan.

Khat (Miraa) farmers mostly from Meru have also reported huge losses as cargo planes have grounded. Note that Miraa and horticultural products are highly perishable and delays in transport renders them un-useful to the targeted markets.

The tourism sector has also been largely affected with Hotels having to cope with patrons who can’t travel, and those expected/booked in not arriving.

 Four Members of the Kenyan Parliament namely, Health Minister Charity Ngilu (UK), Nominated MP Mohamed Affey (Denmark) and two others are held up in Europe due to suspensions of their flights long after their trips came to a conclusion over the weekend.

Back home, Kenya Airways issued a media brief late Sunday 18th, April, 2010 confirming that it's flight cancellations to and from Europe (Amsterdam, London and Paris) over the weekend remain effective due to continued closure of European air space.

“KQ requests all passengers booked to travel on these routes to re-confirm their bookings with the airline before the date of travel and before reporting to the airport.”  Read part of the statement.

In the meantime, airline’s staff in Amsterdam, London and Paris are making all possible efforts to contact all booked customers with this information in order to minimize the inconvenience caused by this
unavoidable occurrence.

To this effect, the airline has requested affected customers to be patient as the airline operations will not be at hundred percent once the situation returns to normalcy due to the backlog and operational
constraints including but not limited to aircraft, airport parking slots and crew challenges arising from the cancellations.

For the latest update on the flights to and from Kenya, visit
www.kenya-airways.com  or
http://mail.google.com/mail/www.kenya-airways.com