Skip to main content

IATA Appeals for Airlines to Halt Isolation of Ebola-Hit Nations


Airlines should maintain services to Ebola-hit regions which need connections with the outside world in order to fight the disease, the International Air Transport Association said last week after more carriers put flights on hold.

The industry needs only to screen passengers at airports in infected areas, apply rigorous procedures including isolation when handling suspected cases, and fully disinfect planes afterwards, IATA, said, citing World Health Organization advice that aviation constitutes a “row risk” for Ebola transmission.

“They have been very clear that travel and trade bans are unnecessary,” Raphael Kuuchi, IATA’s vice president for Africa, told the body’s Africa Aviation Day conference in Johannesburg. “Unless this advice changes we hope that countries working hard to eradicate Ebola continue to benefit from air connectivity.”

IATA issued the plea after Kenya Airways Ltd., Africa’s third-largest carrier, said this weekend it would stop flying to Liberia and Sierra Leone, which together with Guinea are the focus of the Ebola outbreak, from tomorrow on the advice of the Kenyan health ministry. That’s after Korean Air Air Lines Co. said it would end flights to Nairobi on Aug. 20 because of the risk of infection spreading there via services from West Africa.

Cameroon also said Aug. 16 it would no longer allow flights from Ebola-hit states, with Public Health Minister Andre Mama Fouda saying that “control has equally been tightened in all health districts, at the borders, airports and sea ports.”
Among operators closer to the Ebola outbreak, Gambia Bird, Togo-based Asky Airlines and Nigeria’s Arik Air had all earlier halted at least some flights into the area. Among major carriers. British Airways and Emirates also scrapped services.
“Ebola is a terrible disease but it is not easy to contract,” Kuuchi said in Johannesburg. “It can only be caught through contact with bodily fluids. It is almost impossible to be infected by someone on a flight.”
IATA represents 240 airlines constituting 84 percent of global traffic.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Fitch Solutions retains 2025 growth rate projection at 4.2%

 Fitch Solutions has reaffirmed its projection that Ghana’s economy will expand by 4.2% in 2025. This estimate slightly exceeds the International Monetary Fund’s forecast of 4% and the World Bank’s projection of 3.9%. The UK-based research firm attributes its outlook to historically high gold prices, which are expected to cushion the Ghanaian economy against a global slowdown triggered by rising tariffs. Higher gold prices are anticipated to strengthen government revenue, enhance foreign exchange earnings, and help sustain currency stability. The report also highlights that Ghana is relatively less vulnerable to increasing trade restrictions from the United States, given that its primary exports—gold and crude oil—are not directly affected by the tariffs introduced by President Trump’s administration. Moreover, the US constitutes only about 4% to 5% of Ghana’s total exports. In contrast, Ghana’s trade relations are more heavily oriented toward China and European countries, particul...
Post a Comment
Read more

BoG injects $20m into FX market to support 11 BDCs

  The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has injected $20 million into the foreign exchange market in the latest round of its forward FX auction targeted at Bulk Oil Distribution Companies (BDCs). The intervention, which benefited eleven BDCs, is part of the central bank’s broader strategy to stabilise the cedi and ensure price stability in the petroleum downstream sector. Held on Tuesday, April 29, the auction was priced at a locked exchange rate of GHS 14.28 to the US dollar, with bid offers ranging from GHS 13.85 to GHS 15.55. This move reflects the BoG’s continued effort to deepen forex liquidity and safeguard the domestic fuel supply chain against volatility in global energy markets. By directly supplying FX to BDCs, the central bank seeks to ease pressure on the interbank market, guarantee the uninterrupted flow of petroleum products, and mitigate the pass-through effects of exchange rate fluctuations on fuel prices. The $20 million disbursement forms part of a $120 million programme for th...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kenpong Travel & Tours Champions Breast Cancer Awareness During Customer Week

  As part of activities to mark Customer Week, Kenpong Travel & Tours, a leading travel agency in Ghana, is joining the global fight against breast cancer. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the company is passionate about spreading hope and support to those affected. At Kenpong Travel & Tours, we believe that travel and exploration can be therapeutic and empowering. That's why we're committed to supporting our customers and the broader community in the fight against breast cancer. We're proud to stand in solidarity with breast cancer warriors and survivors. At Kenpong Travel & Tours, we believe that everyone deserves a chance to explore the world and create unforgettable memories. Let's prioritize health, support one another, and fight against breast cancer," said Kennedy Agyapong, CEO of Kenpong Travel & Tours. Our efforts are focused on raising awareness, promoting early detection, and supporting those affected by breast cancer. We urg...
Post a Comment
Read more