African airline, Kenya Airways says from midnight of August 19, 2014 it will suspend commercial flights to Liberia and Sierra Leone in response to Ebola outbreak in the West African countries.

In a press statement signed by its CEO, Titus Naikuni, the airline explained it took the decision “based on the situation risk assessment by Kenya’s Ministry of Health.”

Kenya has already banned flights from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the three countries worst hit by the Ebola outbreak.

The World Health Organisation has warned Kenya was vulnerable to the Ebola scourge that has hit many West African countries because it was a major transport hub for flights from the sub-region.

Ebola has so far claimed over 1,000 lives since renewed outbreak in March.

Read below parts of Kenya Airways CEO's release on the suspension of flights to Monrovia and Freetown:

“To our esteemed guests who are booked on the suspended flights, we wish to express our sincere regrets for disrupting your travel plans. We further wish to confirm that we shall be providing for a full refund of all tickets earlier booked and paid for prior to this suspension.

"The provision of air transport services during such critical moments remains a crucial component of the outbreak containment and overall management. At the height of the Ebola outbreak, Kenya Airways has remained a key air transport solutions provider. We have transported medical staff, supplies and equipment to facilitate the management of the outbreak. 

"I take this opportunity to thank our customers for their continued confidence in our services, and our staff for their passion and dedication.

"I wish to confirm that Kenya Airways will continue operating all its scheduled flights to Nigeria and Ghana. However, in the interest of public safety for both our esteemed guests and staff, we reserve the right to cancel our flights to any other destination should the situation warrant."

[Published by GN]