IATA Urges Kenya To Reduce PCR Test Fees

The International Air Transport Association, IATA has urged the Kenyan government to reduce PCR test fees to boost air travel and economic recovery.

 

According to IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al Awadhi, in a statement, “Kenya’s air transport recovery is stalling and requires ongoing support.”

“Among the interventions, we are urging Kenya’s government to reduce the cost of PCR tests for travelers, which, at roughly $80 each, is significantly higher than the average in Africa.”

 

“The high cost of tests has become a major deterrent and a drag on the recovery of Kenya’s air transport and tourism sectors. An alternative solution would be to permit the use of more cost-effective antigen tests,” Awadhi stated.

 

He noted that Kenya's Airline passenger traffic and some other African hub fell by 52 percent in June 2021 as against the same period in 2019. The cost of tests must be cut as we all hope for a quick recovery of air travel across Africa and the world at large.

However, as passengers' numbers continue to increase, IATA Travel Pass and the African Union’s Trusted Travel Pass must be the major keys to help governments efficiently and conveniently verify traveler health credentials.

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