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Kenya Airways Halts Flights from Paris
Nation's cash cow, tourism, is reeling in wake of violence
By Susan Reifer
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Posted Feb 20, 08 6:05 PM CST
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(Newser)
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Plummeting tourism in the wake of January's post-election violence and France's sweeping advisory against travel to Kenya have emptied airline seats, triggering the cancellation of all Kenya Airways flights from Paris to Nairobi. The cancellation, which begins Feb. 26, will disrupt travel to other African destinations, including Congo and Rwanda.
Tourism—big business in Kenya—is already reeling. European passengers are down by more than 25%. Beach resorts are nearly empty. Officials estimate the crisis may cost Kenya 400,000 jobs and $3.6 billion. But Italy, the UK, and Germany recently lifted their advisories, raising hopes for recovery. And the airline—partly owned by Air France and KLM—expects to resume thrice-weekly flights to the East African tourism hub by summer.