The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) has temporarily suspended all flights from Kenya for 48 hours amid a spike in Covid-19 cases in Kenya.

The suspension is effective Monday at 9:30 am Kenyan time and 10:30 am Dubai time.

“Please be informed that the operations of all air transport services for inbound and transit passenger movements to Emirates of Dubai from any point in the Republic of Kenya are temporarily suspended for 48 hours effective December 20, 2021,” read the DCAA notice

However, only flights into Dubai are suspended as cargo and passenger flights from Dubai to Nairobi are still operational.

Dubai carrier Emirates announced all passengers destined for Dubai will not be accepted for travel on Emirates flights during this time.

 “Customers will not be accepted for travel on Emirates flights at Nairobi during this time,” Emirates said.

They have advised their customers who have been affected by the move to hold on to their tickets and when only contact their travel agents to make new arrangements when the flights resume.

"Affected customers do not need to call us immediately for rebooking. Customers can simply on to their Emirates ticket and when flights resume, get in touch with their travel agent or booking office to make new travel plans," the airline added.

Kenya has registered a surge in the number of new Covid-19 infections in the wake of the dreaded Omicron variant since its detection in the country last week.

In the last 24 hours, 1,372 people have tested positive for the virus from a sample of 5,635. 

The positivity rates currently stand at 24.4 per cent which is the highest rate to be recorded since March when the third wave came.