The country’s national carrier, Kenya Airways, has launched nonstop flights between the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa and Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. This is part of the airline’s strategy to expand its route network and support “the recovery of Kenya’s tourism and hospitality industry.”
Better connectivity to the Middle East
It is expected that the new direct route to the major aviation hub in the United Arab Emirates will improve connectivity and boost travel between Africa and the Middle East.
The announcement on Kenya Airways’ official Twitter account stated that the Mombasa-Dubai route will be served four times a week operating a Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
NEWS: We are pleased today to announce the launch of non-stop flights from the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa to Dubai. KQ will operate a Boeing 737-800, four times a week. #KQMombasaDubaiDirect pic.twitter.com/e4TfCx9MsJ — Kenya Airways (@KenyaAirways) December 15, 2022
Kenya Airways also added,
“This historic flight is a dynamic to sustain millions of jobs from the tourism sector by connecting Kenyan Coast to the Middle East directly. The travel time is effectively reduced, making Kenya the most attractive destination for the Middle East tourists.”
Direct flights between Mombasa Moi International Airport (MBA) and Dubai International Airport (DXB) take about five hours. According to Flightradar24.com, the direct connection between Kenya Airways’ base at Nairobi International Airport (NBO) and DXB Airport existed before the Mombasa-Dubai route.
In addition to the Mombasa-Dubai route, Kenya Airways has an extensive route network with destinations in East Africa, three European hubs in Paris, London, and Amsterdam, and destinations in Asia such as Bangkok, Mumbai, and Guangzhou. The African airline also connects Nairobi with New York.
About Kenya Airways
Kenya Airways was founded in 1977 from the remnants of East African Airways. Since then, the airline has been based at Jomo Kenyatta Airport in Nairobi. The airline was one of the first in Africa to be privatized.
Like many other airlines, the African carrier has experienced ups and downs during its four decades of existence. The airline’s finances have not exactly been in the best of shape since 2012.
As a result, there have been talks about a major restructuring of Kenya Airways for some time. However, in an earlier interview with FlightGlobal, Kenya Airways Group CEO Allan Kilavuka said he was “confident” that the airline’s restructuring and cost-cutting measures will return it to growth and profitability in 2024.
Kilavuka added,
“We are very confident. We have a good model, a good product, a good brand. We just need to make sure we have lower unit costs for operations.”
In its latest financial results, Kenya Airways cut its losses by 31.5% and posted record cargo results. The airline reported a half-year revenue of Kshs 48,104 million ($389,665), an increase of 76% compared to the same period in 2021.
According to Planespotters.net, the airline currently has a total of 38 aircraft in its fleet, with an average age of 11 years. The airline’s fleet includes 14 Embraer ERJ-190s, 12 Boeing 737s, nine Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and three Boeing 777s. Of the 38 aircraft, 20 are owned by the airline, while 18 are leased.
Despite its financial challenges, Kenya Airways has steadily built a reputation as one of Africa’s best-known airlines.
Source: simpleflying.com