Passengers to and from 7 countries constitute 60% to 70% of business

‘DGCA’s decision to suspend flights resulted in paralysis of travel agencies’

KUWAIT CITY, March 10: Board Chairman of the Union of Tourism and Travel Agencies Mohammad Al-Metairie said the decision issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to suspend flights to and from seven countries as part of precautionary measures to prevent an outbreak of coronavirus in the country resulted in the paralysis of travel agencies, especially since passengers to and from these countries constitute 60 to 70 percent of arrival and departure flights in Kuwait, reports Al-Anba daily.

Speaking to the daily, Al-Metairie pointed out these countries are among the most important destinations, particularly Cairo and India with 20 flights daily. He said the sector is currently suffering from a huge crisis because of coronavirus, disclosing the travel market’s sales declined by 90 percent.

He revealed travel agencies lost millions after the suspension of a big number of destinations and cancellation of most flights due to fear of being infected with the disease. He added several companies and agencies suspended many employees as a result of the crisis, while others were asked to go on leave without pay in an attempt to curb the losses.

He affirmed the travel and tourism market is severely impacted, asserting that the recent Ministry of Health circular urging citizens to refrain from traveling has negatively affected the sector.

He went on to say the decision to suspend flights to and from seven countries will have a negative impact if extended for more than one week and this is expected in light of the announcement of many countries about the increasing number of coronavirus cases.