The Executive Director of the East African Business Council, Dr. Peter Mathuki, at a past function. PHOTO | FILE

The East African Business Council or EABC has called on the East African Community members to coordinate the resumption of regional flights.

The council’s Executive Director said a unified plan should be developed with regards to the reopening of the airspace.

Dr. Peter Mathuki said this will help in the revival of the crucial tourism and the hospitality sectors which were hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

“The re-opening of regional air transport services will integrate the regional logistics value chains for increased exports of fresh produce, regional tourism, and enable service providers to tap into the larger EAC market,” Dr. Mathuki said.

The International Air Transport Association has warned that the East African Region may lose an upwards of 500 billion US dollars that the tourism and hospitality sector contributes.

This week, Kenya reopened its airspace with its national carrier, Kenya Airways resuming operations in 27 African cities and international routes.

But Tanzania barred KQ flights from its airspace after Kenya failed to include Tanzania in the list of countries approved to enter Kenya.

The East African Business believes uniformity and high-level coordination will improve efficiency and ensure adherence to coronavirus preventive measures.