Jambojet Adopts Air Filtration Systems In Anticipation Of Passenger Travel Under COVID-19 Conditions

NAIROBI, Kenya June 3 – Regional carrier Jambojet says it has introduced a raft of measures including the adoption of a high-efficiency air filtration system that will boost the safety of passengers under a coronavirus trave environment.

Through a statement, acting CEO, Karanja Ndegwa said the aircrafts have been fitted with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filtration system that refreshes the air every 3 minutes.

Ndegwa said the measures taken will also include thorough sanitization of aircraft with industry approved detergent before and after each flight with a special focus on all touch prone areas.

The announcement is seen as an anticipation of eased travel restrictions as President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to issue an address on 6^th June following the end of the cessation of movement, curfew among other restrictions.

He said that upon resumption of flights, the airline will focus on ensure the employees are protected from spread of infection of the novel virus which has killed nearly 340,00 people out of the 2.6 million people infected globally.

“Once we resume operations, we will ensure that we continue to follow the set guidelines by the Ministry of Health, WHO, IATA and other relevant bodies,” said Ndegwa.

As of  June 3, Kenya had recorded 499 recoveries and 17 deaths out of the 2,093 infections recorded after an analysis of 82,946 samples.

 “We remain committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our employees and customers from the moment they arrive at the airport to the time they land at their destination

In addition, the airline will conduct temperature checks on arrival at the airport and hand sanitisers will be provided at all customer touch points.

“All passengers and crew will be required to wear facemask throughout the journey and observe social distancing on all queues and at the lounge. The Cabin Crew will assist passengers with opening and closing of the overhead bins to reduce touch.

Passengers have been advised to conduct online bookings to reduce contact through queues at the airport.

“We have also updated our boarding procedures, where passengers will be boarded by zone starting with those seating at the rear of the cabin,” he said.

President Uhuru Kenyatta banned all international passenger flights effective March 25 with the exception of cargo flights whose crew was limited to three people.

Jambojet, among other regional airlines halted operations on 7^th April 2020  when the directive on cessation of movement by road, rail or air in and out of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale counties  took effect.

Meanwhile, an impact assessment analysis by the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) has predicted that the airline industry in Africa will suffer a revenue loss of US$8.103 billion – Sh860 billion – in 2020,