Kenya Airways Doubles Daily Flights to London Meeting Rising Demand

Kenya Airways (KQ) is set to enhance its service to the United Kingdom, specifically London, by introducing an expanded flight schedule starting from the end of October 2023. The airline’s strategic move aims to meet the rising demand for travel on this route, offering passengers increased options for convenience and flexibility.

Beginning at the end of October, Kenya Airways will double its daily flights to London, resulting in a total of two long-haul flights per day. This significant increase will raise the weekly flights between Nairobi and London from the current ten to a total of fourteen, a development that has been warmly received by the airline’s clients.

Passengers traveling to the United Kingdom with Kenya Airways will now have the choice between a morning flight, identified as KQ 100, and an evening flight, designated as KQ 102. This expanded selection of flight times is expected to cater to diverse traveler preferences, ensuring a more tailored and convenient experience for customers.

KQ100 will be departing from Nairobi every morning, while the KQ102 aircraft will be taking off for London in the evening on a daily basis. This scheduling adjustment is poised to facilitate increased passenger movement between Kenya and the United Kingdom, aligning with Kenya Airways’ commitment to meeting the needs of its discerning passengers.

To accommodate this expanded service, Kenya Airways will deploy the state-of-the-art B787 Boeing Dreamliner on the Nairobi-London route. This aircraft selection will result in a weekly total of 14 flights, a significant increase from the current 10 flights per week.

The decision to add these extra flights highlights the airline’s dedication to addressing the growing demand for travel on this route, driven by a variety of factors, including market demand and passenger preferences.

Kenya Airways has been diligently serving passengers traveling to London for various purposes, including business, leisure, trade, and education. With the introduction of these additional flights, the airline is poised to further solidify its position as a key player in the air travel industry, providing enhanced accessibility and options for travelers between Nairobi and London.

This strategic move follows the airline’s resumption of daily flights to New York in December 2022, marking its proactive response to the evolving landscape of air travel in the wake of the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic.

Source: Switch Tv

Dubai Tourism Unleashes Dubai’s Allure in Nairobi during the East Africa Roadshow

In a dazzling affair that captivated travel enthusiasts from Mombasa- Nairobi to Kisumu, the Kempinski Hotel was transformed into a portal to another world as the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism unveiled Dubai’s wonders in an unforgettable roadshow event. Nairobi played host to this spectacular event, underscoring the city’s significance as a hub of international connections.

A Grand Showcase of Dubai’s Best

With over 25 prominent companies gracing the occasion, the event transcended expectations. The venue buzzed with fervor as participants were treated to a variety of offerings from Dubai’s thriving tourism and medical sectors. Airlines, hotels, destination management companies, and entertainment providers came together to create a tapestry of Dubai’s offerings, captivating the audience’s imagination.

Partnerships Forged, Dreams Ignited

The event was not just a presentation; it was a gateway to another world. Attendees were given the chance to engage directly with Dubai’s products and services, forging partnerships and exploring collaborations. The room echoed with the voices of stakeholders, their discussions laying the foundation for fruitful future endeavors.

Excitement in the Air

A highlight of the day was the Dubai raffle, which added an element of thrill to the proceedings. Lucky winners walked away with exciting prizes, making the event not only informative but also rewarding.

Local Touch, Global Impact

KATA’s members, hailing from various corners of Kenya, added a distinctive local touch to the event. Their active participation illustrated the vibrant collaboration between Kenya and Dubai, setting the stage for a future filled with promising ventures.

This roadshow became more than an event; it became a platform for dreams to flourish and partnerships to thrive. As the sun set on the day, the promise of stronger connections and endless opportunities lingered, leaving attendees inspired and invigorated for the journeys ahead. Dubai’s allure had woven itself into the fabric of Kenya’s travel industry, leaving an indelible mark of partnership, promise, and endless possibilities.

Date: September 29, 2023 by Bryan Obala, KATA Media and Communications.

Navigating the Skies: Decoding East Africa’s Air Travel Metrics

East Africa, a region known for its breathtaking landscapes, vibrant cultures, and economic potential, has been steadily fostering regional integration through the East African Community (EAC). Beyond its picturesque beauty and cultural diversity, East Africa is also a hub of aviation activity.  The analysis company Aerotrail provides Airspace Africa with the comprehensive analysis of airline connectivity within the EAC member countries, shedding light on the key insights that shape this dynamic industry.

EAC Air Travel Insights

One of the hallmarks of the EAC is the ease of travel for its citizens within the region. By simply presenting a valid national passport, individuals can explore neighboring EAC countries hassle-free. This privilege is further enhanced by the introduction of the East African Passport, a travel document designed to streamline border crossings for East Africans. Notably, this passport is exclusively designated for travel within the confines of the EAC region.

In most instances, travelers within the EAC enjoy the luxury of visa waivers, facilitating smooth journeys across borders. The exception to this rule is travel to or from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where a visa remains a requirement. However, it’s crucial to emphasize the importance of carrying a passport when traversing borders within the EAC.

Additionally, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda have taken a significant stride by recognizing their respective citizens’ national identification cards as valid travel documents. This recognition is rooted in a binding East African Agreement among these three nations and has yielded considerable implications for air travel within this specific bloc of countries.

Key Airports

To comprehend the intricate web of airline connectivity within the EAC, it’s vital to recognize the role of key airports. These airports serve as the linchpins of regional air travel, connecting EAC member states with each other and the wider world.

1. Burundi: Bujumbura International Airport
2. Democratic Republic of the Congo: N’djili International Airport
3. Kenya: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport
4. Rwanda: Kigali International Airport
5. South Sudan: Juba International Airport
6. Tanzania: Julius Nyerere International Airport
7. Uganda: Entebbe International Airport

Overall Air Connectivity

Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Uganda’s Entebbe International Airport hold a special distinction in the EAC’s air travel landscape. These airports are the exclusive gateways that facilitate scheduled airline connections to the main airports of all other EAC member nations. When it comes to regional networks, Entebbe Airport takes the lead with connections to approximately fifteen regional destinations. Following closely are Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Kigali International Airport, both offering scheduled connections to ten regional destinations each.

Longest Airline Routes

In the world of aviation, distance is often a defining factor. Among the longest routes within the EAC network, the Nairobi–New York route stands out, spanning an impressive 11,832 kilometers. This route is serviced daily by Kenya Airways, utilizing Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. Following closely in terms of distance are routes like Nairobi-Changsha, Dar-es-Salaam–Guangzhou, Nairobi-Guangzhou, and Dar-es-Salaam-Amsterdam.

Domestic air travel is the backbone of regional connectivity, and the EAC boasts its share of extensive domestic routes. Notably, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) offers the most extensive domestic routes compared to other EAC countries. Routes like Kinshasa-Goma, Kinshasa-Lubumbashi, Kinshasa-Kisangani, and Kinshasa-Kindu are lifelines connecting communities across vast distances. Additionally, the route connecting Dar-es-Salaam to Kigoma stands out as the longest domestic route within the EAC, spanning a distance of 1,085 kilometers.

Passenger Seats and Airlines

The heart of the aviation industry lies in the seats that carry passengers from one destination to another. In the EAC, several airlines play pivotal roles in connecting people, cultures, and economies. Kenya Airways leads the pack with a substantial 122,906 weekly seats, followed by Ethiopian Airlines with 46,221 seats and RwandAir with 36,626 seats. Notably, the Kenyan low-cost carrier, Jambojet, commands a significant position with 28,860 weekly seats.

Available Seat Kilometers (ASK) is a key metric that reflects an airline’s capacity. In this regard, Amsterdam takes the commanding position with an impressive tally of approximately 132 million ASK, closely trailed by Dubai, Paris, Istanbul, and London. Within the EAC region, Kenya Airways firmly establishes itself as the dominant carrier, boasting a remarkable total of about 300 million ASK.

Ticket pricing in the airline industry is a complex interplay of factors, including route distance, demand, aircraft type, and more. Interestingly, longer airline routes within the EAC tend to be more cost-effective per kilometer traveled, particularly for intercontinental routes. The principle of economies of scale comes into play, where larger aircraft, equipped with more seats, can distribute operational costs across a broader passenger base, resulting in reduced ticket prices per kilometer.

Source: Aerospace Africa

East African Nations Unite to Enhance Regional Tourism

East African Nations Unite to Enhance Regional Tourism

East African countries are pulling together to offer tourists a more comprehensive and captivating experience by integrating their tourism destinations. This collaboration was announced during the Oromia Tourism Week 2023 held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The initiative is targeted at providing tourists the opportunity to explore a variety of destinations within the East African corridor, thus creating a more wholesome and enriching experience.

Aiming for Attractive, Integrated Tourism Packages

Sarah Kirenga, a representative of the Rwandan Chamber of Tourism, explained the importance of this regional tourism integration. According to her, this collaboration will facilitate the sale of complete and attractive tourism packages, a development that will significantly enhance the regional tourism sector. The representative further emphasized that this integration would provide a platform to create a network in the tourism ecosystem, promote a variety of tourism products, and boost regional tourism.

East Africa: A Region of Diverse Attractions

The East African region is globally recognized for its unique natural and cultural tourist attractions, many of which are inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage List. In addition to these, the region is also home to popular safari destinations with an abundance of fascinating historical and archaeological sites. Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo – countries within this region – have already begun marketing their tourist destinations as a unified region, offering tourists a diverse range of attractions.

Boosting Intra-Travel and Implementing Regional Marketing Plans

Anthony Ochieng, a market development representative of the Ugandan Tourism Board, stressed the necessity to focus on regional tourism rather than individual destinations. He stated that the countries within the East African region are cooperating to promote intra-travel and implement the East African tourism marketing plan. The intention is to market East Africa as a region and not just individual destinations. Under this plan, tourists can experience a variety of attractions in different countries, such as ‘The Big Five’ (lion, leopard, cape buffalo, rhinoceros, and African elephant) in Uganda.

Oromia Tourism Week: Promoting Tourism Potential

The Oromia Tourism Week serves as an annual event that aims to showcase the unique tourism offerings and experiences available in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. This event brings together tourism stakeholders, government representatives, industry professionals, and visitors from around the world to explore and appreciate the region’s vast potential as a top tourism destination. It acts as a significant platform to highlight the benefits of regional tourism and promote the integration of various tourist destinations within East Africa.

Investment and Future Prospects

With East Africa’s steady growth as a tourism destination, investment in world-class tourist facilities is becoming increasingly essential. The East Africa destination tourism insight market report indicates that the region has the potential to become a competitive tourism destination in the future, provided it attracts suitable investment and adequate infrastructural development. The report also highlights the region’s key selling point – its wildlife – which is also under threat due to factors such as habitat loss and poaching. However, numerous conservation initiatives have been established to protect these species, indicating a growing awareness of the need to protect the region’s wildlife.

The integration of East African countries to enhance regional tourism is a strategic initiative that will not only boost the tourism sector of the individual countries but will also create a more enriching and diverse experience for tourists. With adequate investment, sustainable conservation initiatives, and an effective regional marketing plan, East Africa can evolve into an attractive and competitive tourism destination in the global tourism market.

Source: bnn