Rising airline surcharges are increasing the cost of corporate air travel, with businesses finding that negotiated discounts often do not extend to some of the additional fees attached to air tickets.
The increase has been linked to higher jet fuel costs, with some airlines choosing to adjust carrier-imposed surcharges rather than increase base fares. The charges, commonly shown as YQ and YR on ticket breakdowns, are controlled by airlines and can include fuel-related and other operating costs. They are more common on international itineraries and generally rise with cabin class.
For corporate travel programmes, the issue is that negotiated discounts may apply to the base fare but not to these surcharges. As the additional charges account for a larger share of the overall ticket price, the effective discount on the final fare becomes smaller.
On some business-class itineraries, the surcharges have accounted for between 21 percent and 41 percent of the total ticket price, according to examples cited in the report. On a sample route between Houston and London, combined YQ and YR charges increased from $2,155 at the end of February to $2,805 by mid-April. On another sample fare to Bangalore, the surcharges represented 41 percent of the ticket price.
The increase is also complicating travel budgeting. Volatile surcharge levels make it harder for companies to forecast air expenditure and assess whether negotiated airline agreements are delivering the expected savings. Because the charges can change independently of the base fare, the final ticket price can move even where the underlying corporate discount remains unchanged.
The impact is particularly significant on long-haul and premium-cabin travel, where surcharges can represent a substantial portion of the total fare. International business-class tickets are therefore becoming more exposed to movements in airline-imposed fees, adding another variable for companies managing travel budgets.
Whether the charges will fall as fuel costs ease remains uncertain in timing. Industry sources cited in the report said surcharges generally decline after cost pressures ease, but reductions can take time. This creates a potential period in which airlines continue to collect higher surcharges even after some of the underlying cost pressure has moderated.
For travel buyers, the changing pricing environment is increasing attention on advance booking, fare comparisons and air-ticket reshopping. Some corporate programmes are using reshopping tools to identify lower-priced alternatives after an initial booking, while others are directing travellers towards airlines or fare options offering more competitive inventory.
The development also highlights the importance of looking beyond the headline fare or negotiated discount when assessing the cost of corporate air travel. As carrier-imposed charges form a larger part of the final ticket, the total payable amount—and how each component is treated under corporate agreements—becomes increasingly important for travel managers and businesses.
Tanzania will from October 1 require most foreign visitors entering Mainland Tanzania to have mandatory inbound travel insurance, introducing a new cost and compliance requirement for travellers and the region’s travel trade.
The requirement applies to foreign visitors arriving through airports, seaports and land borders and follows the publication of the Insurance (Inbound Travel Insurance) Regulations, 2026. Tanzania’s Ministry of Finance confirmed September 25 that implementation will begin on October 1.
The insurance will be issued by the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) and will cost US$44 for an adult, with children aged three to 17 eligible for a 50 per cent discount. Children aged below three will not be charged. Groups of at least 10 people are eligible for a 10 per cent group discount.
The cover is valid for up to 92 days, including multiple entries during the period of validity. It provides benefits including emergency medical treatment, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation and cover for lost luggage.
Travellers can obtain the policy online before departure or at the point of entry. NIC has advised visitors to obtain the cover before arrival and carry the insurance certificate for verification.
A key consideration for travel agents is that the exemption is based on residence rather than nationality. The regulations exempt residents of East African Community (EAC) Partner States and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Partner States from the mandatory cover.
The requirement also comes as Tanzania continues to operate separate insurance arrangements for Zanzibar. Zanzibar introduced its own mandatory travel insurance for foreign visitors in October 2024, administered by the Zanzibar Insurance Corporation (ZIC).
For itineraries combining the mainland and Zanzibar, the applicable insurance arrangement depends on the traveller’s entry point and circumstances. Travel businesses should therefore avoid treating the Mainland NIC policy and Zanzibar’s ZIC cover as interchangeable without confirming the applicable requirement.
The new measure will have a direct bearing on Kenya’s travel trade, particularly agents selling Tanzania safaris, Kilimanjaro climbs and combined Mainland-Zanzibar holidays. Quotations prepared for clients who are not covered by the EAC or SADC residence exemption will need to account for the additional US$44 adult charge.
Kenya is stepping up efforts to drive domestic tourism to its northern frontier, with Samburu, Marsabit and Turkana receiving renewed attention as the country seeks to broaden the destinations available to local travellers.
The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) has set a target of increasing domestic tourist numbers from about 5.1 million to 7.6 million by the 2027/28 financial year, placing domestic travel at the centre of efforts to strengthen and diversify Kenya’s tourism economy.
The renewed focus on the north comes as tourism stakeholders point to improved road and air access as an important factor in opening up destinations that have traditionally attracted fewer domestic holidaymakers.
For travel agents and tour operators, the campaign presents an opportunity to look beyond Kenya’s established tourism circuit and develop products around a region whose attractions extend well beyond conventional safari.
A different side of Kenya
Northern Kenya offers some of the country’s most distinctive landscapes and cultural experiences.
Samburu is known for its wildlife conservancies and dryland landscapes, while Marsabit combines forest, volcanic scenery and cultural heritage. Further north, Turkana offers the distinctive landscapes of Lake Turkana, desert environments and communities with deep cultural traditions.
The challenge for the tourism industry is turning awareness of these destinations into trips that are accessible and affordable for Kenyan travellers.
That is where travel agents and tour operators can play a role, developing shorter breaks, domestic safari packages, cultural experiences and adventure itineraries that give travellers a practical reason to explore the region.
Airlines connect the dots
Air connectivity is particularly important in northern Kenya, where long road journeys can make short domestic holidays difficult to package.
Several airlines that are also KATA Corporate Members form part of the network linking travellers to destinations in the north.
Safarilink provides air access to the safari circuit, including Samburu, while its wider network connects several of Kenya’s key tourism destinations. Its services give agents the ability to build itineraries that combine different safari regions without requiring travellers to return to Nairobi between every leg.
Skyward Airlines provides scheduled connectivity to Lodwar, opening an important gateway into Turkana and the wider north-western region.
IFly Air Solutions, another KATA Corporate Member, provides connectivity to Wajir, linking the north-eastern part of the country with the wider domestic aviation network.
Together, these connections demonstrate that northern Kenya is not simply a collection of remote destinations. There is already an aviation network that can support tourism, business travel and other forms of movement into the region.
For the travel trade, the opportunity lies in connecting those air services with accommodation, ground transport, experiences and competitively priced packages.
Turning connectivity into demand
Improved connectivity does not automatically translate into more tourists. The destinations also need products that consumers can easily understand and book.
A traveller considering a weekend away, for example, needs to know not only what there is to see, but how to get there, where to stay, how long the journey takes and what the overall cost will be.
Travel agents can help bridge that gap by packaging the different components of a trip and presenting northern Kenya as a range of bookable experiences rather than simply individual destinations.
The approach could also help distribute tourism spending more widely. Greater domestic demand can support accommodation providers, guides, transport operators, restaurants, attractions and communities across destinations that have historically had a smaller share of Kenya’s tourism traffic.
A market beyond the traditional circuit
KTB’s 7.6 million domestic-tourist target gives the industry a sizeable market to work with. Achieving it will require more than destination marketing, however.
It will require collaboration between tourism boards, airlines, accommodation providers, tour operators and travel agents to make lesser-visited destinations visible, accessible and commercially viable.
For northern Kenya, the foundations are already emerging: a growing domestic tourism focus, air links into key destinations and an established travel trade capable of packaging and distributing the experience.
The next step is to turn those ingredients into journeys that more Kenyans can discover — and book.
Emirates is set to introduce its Airbus A350 on the Dubai–Nairobi route from 25 October 2026, bringing its latest-generation aircraft and Premium Economy cabin to Kenya for the first time.
The A350 will operate EK717 and EK718, making Nairobi the 32nd destination in the Emirates network to receive the aircraft. The deployment will introduce a three-cabin configuration comprising Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class, with capacity for up to 298 passengers.
For Kenya’s travel trade, the most notable change is the arrival of Emirates’ Premium Economy product. The cabin is positioned between Economy and Business Class, offering wider leather seats, additional legroom, adjustable headrests, leg and footrests, in-seat charging and a 13.3-inch entertainment screen.
A new product for the Kenya market
The introduction gives travel agents another cabin option to present to customers who want greater comfort than Economy without moving to a Business Class fare.
The product could be particularly relevant for corporate travellers, premium leisure clients and passengers connecting through Dubai to destinations in Europe, the Americas and other long-haul markets. Emirates currently operates 21 weekly flights between Nairobi and Dubai, following the introduction of its third daily service in July.
The A350’s Business Class cabin features a 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access for every passenger, while Economy has upgraded seating and Emirates’ latest ice inflight entertainment system with 13.3-inch 4K screens.
More choice for agents
The aircraft deployment adds another dimension to how agents can structure Dubai and beyond itineraries. Premium Economy provides an additional price-and-comfort proposition that can be considered when clients are upgrading from Economy but do not require the full Business Class product.
It also comes as Emirates continues to expand its proposition in Kenya. The airline introduced its third daily Nairobi service in July, taking the route to 21 flights per week and improving connection options through Dubai.
Emirates has confirmed that tickets can be booked through its website and app, as well as through online and offline travel agents and the Emirates World store in Nairobi.
For agents, the immediate opportunity is to familiarise themselves with the new cabin, its fare availability and applicable booking conditions ahead of the October rollout. The A350 deployment gives the Kenya market access to a product that was previously unavailable on Emirates’ Nairobi service, expanding the range of options agents can present to travellers across different budgets and comfort requirements.
Kenya Airways is embarking on one of its most significant technology transformations in more than two decades, selecting Sabre and Branchspace to overhaul the systems that underpin how the airline sells, books and manages travel.
Announced on 22 September, the partnership will see Sabre replace Kenya Airways’ existing reservations and ticketing platform, which has supported the airline’s reservations, inventory management and airport check-in operations for more than 20 years. The new platform will become a core operational and commercial technology layer for the airline.
Alongside the Sabre implementation, Kenya Airways has appointed travel technology and consulting firm Branchspace to develop the digital commerce layer through which customers will interact with the airline. Branchspace’s Triplake platform is expected to serve as the airline’s primary digital customer touchpoint from the beginning of the rollout.
Moving towards modern airline retailing
The transformation goes beyond replacing an ageing reservations system. Kenya Airways says the new technology will support a shift towards more personalised, offer-and-order-based airline retailing.
The Sabre platform, built on Sabre Mosaic, will support reservations, ticketing, inventory and airport check-in while also introducing Mosaic Offer Optimisation. According to the airline, this will support continuous learning and dynamic pricing capabilities, enabling the carrier to develop offers that respond more closely to traveller demand.
For travellers, this is expected to translate into more tailored fares and ancillary options, greater flexibility in bundling different elements of a journey, smoother digital and mobile booking, faster airport check-in and improved self-service.
Kenya Airways also expects the new technology to strengthen disruption management, including faster real-time rebooking when travel plans are affected. The airline’s Asante Rewards programme is also expected to receive an upgraded experience under the new platform.
Chief Commercial and Customer Officer Julius Thairu described the move as an important step in Kenya Airways’ retailing transformation, with the new technology providing a more flexible foundation for personalised, offer-and-order-based retailing.
What it could mean for travel agents
For the travel trade, the significance of the announcement extends beyond the airline’s website or mobile booking experience.
A change to the technology underpinning an airline’s reservations, ticketing and inventory functions can have implications for the wider distribution ecosystem, particularly as carriers move towards richer content, personalised offers and modern retailing models.
Kenya Airways says the new platform will align with industry standards including IATA’s New Distribution Capability (NDC), which is designed to enable airlines to distribute richer and more flexible content through modern distribution channels.
For travel agents, areas to watch will therefore include how KQ content is presented and accessed through distribution channels, the availability of ancillary products, fare and offer structures, ticket servicing and rebooking processes, and any changes to existing agency workflows.
The airline says its modular technology approach will allow the transformation to be introduced progressively rather than through a single disruptive system cutover.
A broader shift in airline distribution
Kenya Airways’ move reflects a wider evolution in airline technology, as carriers transition from traditional passenger service systems towards platforms designed around retailing, personalised offers and a more integrated customer record.
For KQ, the objective is to bring shopping, booking, servicing and fulfilment closer together while giving its commercial teams greater control over how products and offers are presented across channels.
The change will therefore be closely watched by Kenya’s travel agent community. As implementation progresses, further communication from Kenya Airways, Sabre and the relevant distribution partners will be important in establishing what changes, if any, agents will need to make to their existing booking, ticketing and servicing processes.
The Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), in partnership with Travelport, brought together Eastleigh-based travel agents for a breakfast engagement at PrideInn Azure Hotel, Westlands, Nairobi, providing a platform for agents to discuss the realities of running a travel business, the value of industry representation and the need to keep pace with a rapidly changing travel landscape.
Led by KATA Board Director Abdikadir Mohamed, the session focused on the role of an industry association in creating a stronger and more connected travel agency community. Abdikadir emphasised that belonging to an association gives agents a collective platform to engage on issues affecting the sector, access industry opportunities and contribute to conversations that shape the future of travel in Kenya.
He also highlighted the importance of professional growth and collaboration among travel agents, noting that the strength of the industry is closely linked to the ability of individual businesses to connect, share knowledge and work collectively on common industry priorities.
KATA CEO Nicanor Sabula addressed the regulatory environment within which travel agencies operate, emphasising the importance of licensing and compliance with the requirements of the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA). He urged agents to treat compliance as an integral part of building a sustainable travel business rather than simply a regulatory obligation.
Sabula noted that operating within the established regulatory framework provides businesses with a stronger foundation for long-term growth, while helping to build confidence among customers, suppliers and other industry partners. For travel agencies, maintaining the required licences and meeting regulatory obligations is therefore an important part of establishing credibility and creating a business that can operate sustainably in a competitive market.
Nita Nagi, Executive Director & Region Head, Kenya & Mauritius, Travelport, further reinforced the importance of compliance and responsible business practices, encouraging agents to ensure that their businesses remain properly structured and compliant as they pursue growth. She emphasised that sustainable businesses are built on strong operational foundations, with compliance, professionalism and consistency forming part of the trust that agents establish with customers and industry partners.
The Travelport team also took agents through developments in travel distribution and technology, with particular attention to New Distribution Capability (NDC) and the changes taking place across the travel retailing environment. The discussion highlighted the need for agents to understand emerging technologies and adapt their businesses as the way travel content is distributed and accessed continues to evolve.
For travel agents, the shift towards new distribution models presents both changes and opportunities. Embracing technology can enable agencies to work more efficiently, access evolving travel content and improve the way they serve customers. The Travelport team encouraged agents to remain curious about these developments and continuously build their knowledge rather than allowing changes in technology to leave their businesses behind.
The discussion also highlighted the broader shift taking place in the travel industry, where technology is increasingly influencing how airlines distribute content, how agents search and compare options, and how travellers interact with travel businesses. For agencies seeking to remain competitive, keeping up with these developments is becoming an important part of business strategy.
Beyond the presentations, the breakfast provided an open forum for Eastleigh-based agents to raise questions, share experiences and discuss issues affecting their businesses. The engagement allowed KATA and Travelport to hear directly from agents while giving participants an opportunity to engage with industry leaders and a major technology and distribution partner.
The engagement reflects KATA’s continued efforts to strengthen its connection with travel agents across different markets and business communities. By creating opportunities for direct interaction, the Association is able to bring industry issues closer to its members while connecting agents to partners, knowledge and opportunities that can support their growth.
The meeting also reinforced the importance of consumer confidence within the travel sector. KATA continues to encourage travellers to verify their travel agents through the official KATAwebsite, providing customers with a reference point when selecting a KATA member agency for their travel needs.
The partnership with Travelport provided an important platform for the discussion, bringing together the industry association, travel technology provider and travel agents around issues that affect the future of the sector.
As travel continues to evolve, the message from the engagement was clear: sustainable travel businesses require strong foundations, professional compliance, collective representation and a willingness to embrace change.
Moi International Airport has earned three runner-up honours at the 2026 Airports Council International Africa Passenger Facilitation and Readiness Excellence Awards, recognising the airport’s performance in governance, stakeholder integration and operational processes. The awards were presented during the ACI Africa Conference Gala Dinner in Abuja, Nigeria, placing Mombasa’s main international gateway among airports recognised for their efforts to strengthen passenger facilitation and operational readiness.
The airport was recognised in the category for facilities handling fewer than two million passengers annually, with the three honours covering Governance, Stakeholders Integration and Processes. The recognitions reflect different but interconnected aspects of airport operations, from the leadership and oversight structures that guide service delivery to the coordination of the many stakeholders involved in moving passengers through the airport and the procedures designed to make that journey more efficient.
The Governance recognition highlights the importance of clear leadership, defined responsibilities and effective oversight in maintaining consistent airport operations. The Stakeholders Integration recognition focuses on the coordination required between airlines, government agencies, ground handlers, service providers and other partners whose activities collectively shape the passenger experience. The Processes recognition, meanwhile, acknowledges systems and procedures that support passenger movement, operational efficiency and continuous improvement.
Organised by Airports Council International Africa (ACI Africa), the Passenger Facilitation and Readiness Excellence Awards assess airport submissions through a jury evaluation against defined areas of passenger facilitation and operational readiness. The awards are structured according to annual passenger traffic bands, allowing airports to be assessed alongside facilities operating at a comparable scale.
The recognition comes as Mombasa continues to strengthen its position as an important gateway for Kenya’s coastal tourism and wider regional economy. Moi International Airport connects visitors with hotels, travel agencies, tour operators, attractions and other tourism businesses across the Coast, making the airport experience an important part of the overall visitor journey.
For the travel industry, the significance of airport performance extends beyond the terminal. A passenger’s experience is shaped by a chain of connected services, from booking and airline operations to immigration, ground handling, transfers and onward travel. Effective coordination between these different players can therefore have a direct bearing on how visitors experience a destination from the moment they arrive.
The three ACI Africa recognitions reflect the collective effort behind that experience, acknowledging the Moi International Airport team and the partners whose work supports its day-to-day operations. They also highlight the importance of the systems, relationships and processes that passengers may not always see but rely on throughout their journey.
For Mombasa, the recognition provides another spotlight on the infrastructure and partnerships supporting the Coast’s growing tourism and business travel ecosystem, while reinforcing the role of Moi International Airport as a critical link between the destination and the travellers it welcomes.
KATA Coast members have taken an active role in the 2026 UN World Tourism Week celebrations in Mombasa, participating in a series of engagements focused on destination promotion, conservation, industry networking and welcoming visitors to the Coast.
The week has brought together tourism associations, government, hospitality businesses, airlines, cultural organisations, and other industry stakeholders under a shared focus on strengthening Mombasa as a destination.
For the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA), the celebrations have provided an opportunity for its Coast membership to participate directly in activities shaping the destination they market and sell to travellers.
KATA Coast members have been present across four key engagements: the Beach and City Conservation Campaign, the Tourism Stakeholders’ Cocktail, the World Tourism Day Carnival and Procession, and the Meet & Greet at Moi International Airport.
Showing up for the destination
The conservation campaign on 24 September brought tourism stakeholders together for a practical contribution to the cleanliness and sustainability of Mombasa’s coastline and urban spaces.
KATA Coast members joined partners in the beach clean-up, reinforcing a message increasingly important to the travel industry: the destinations tourism businesses promote must also be destinations they actively help protect.
Mombasa’s coastline is central to the city’s tourism identity, supporting a wide network of hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, restaurants, attractions and other businesses. For travel agents, destination sustainability is therefore closely connected to the quality of the experiences they sell to their clients.
The week also created space for the industry to connect beyond the traditional business environment.
At the Tourism Stakeholders’ Cocktail on 25 September, hosted at Alliance Française de Mombasa, tourism associations and partners came together for an evening focused on collaboration, culture, skills and the growing connections between Kenya and France.
Discussions around French as a language of employability for young people also highlighted the importance of skills development in building a tourism workforce capable of serving increasingly diverse international markets.
KATA Coast members were part of the wider tourism fraternity represented at the engagement, reflecting the Association’s continued participation in conversations that extend beyond travel trade operations.
Taking tourism to the streets
The World Tourism Day Carnival and Procession provided another opportunity for KATA Coast members to participate in celebrating Mombasa’s tourism identity.
The procession brought together tourism stakeholders, cultural groups, youth, communities and other partners in a public celebration of the destination.
For the travel trade, such platforms offer an important reminder that destination marketing is not confined to brochures, websites or sales calls. It is also about showcasing the people, culture, creativity and experiences that give a destination its character.
Welcoming visitors at the point of arrival
The celebrations culminated in another highly visible engagement at Moi International Airport on 26 September, where KATA led members of the travel industry in welcoming visitors arriving in Mombasa.
The meet-and-greet brought together KATA Coast leadership and members, Mombasa County representatives, airlines and other tourism stakeholders to welcome arriving passengers and give them a first taste of the destination’s renowned hospitality.
KATA members participated in welcomes for passengers arriving on Jambojet, Ethiopian Airlines and Kenya Airways, with airline teams and crew joining the engagements.
Among those present were Mohamed Osman Ali, Mombasa County Executive Committee Member responsible for Tourism, Culture and Trade; Falmina Firoz, Vice Chairperson of the Mombasa Tourism Council ; Patrick Maina Kamanga, KATA Coast Region Liaison; and other KATA members and tourism stakeholders.
For a travel industry that often works behind the scenes to arrange a traveller’s journey, the airport engagement brought that work directly to the point where the visitor’s experience begins.
More than participation
KATA Coast’s involvement throughout the week reflects the broader role of travel agents within the tourism ecosystem.
From supporting destination conservation and industry collaboration to participating in cultural celebrations and welcoming visitors, the Coast membership has demonstrated that travel agents are not only distributors of tourism products. They are also destination stakeholders with a direct interest in the growth, reputation and sustainability of Mombasa.
The activities also come as Mombasa continues to strengthen its position as a major tourism and international events destination. Earlier in 2026, the city hosted the 11th Our Ocean Conference, which brought more than 7,500 delegates from around the world to the Coast.
For KATA, continued participation in platforms such as UN World Tourism Week provides an opportunity to ensure that the voice and contribution of the travel trade remain part of Mombasa’s tourism development story.
KATA Coast showed up — for the destination, for the industry and for the visitors who make tourism possible.
Closing the week with a celebration of tourism
The UN World Tourism Week celebrations concluded on 27 September, with KATA Coast joining tourism stakeholders, youth, cultural groups, partners and creatives for the UN World Tourism Day Caravan Walk through Mombasa.
The colourful procession brought together voices from across the tourism and creative ecosystem in a celebration of the people, culture, heritage and experiences that make Mombasa a distinctive destination. The caravan journeyed from Moi Avenue, Mapembeni, to the iconic Mama Ngina Waterfront, turning the streets into a celebration of tourism, culture and community.
For KATA Coast, the closing-day engagement provided another opportunity for the travel trade to participate in the wider destination conversation. While travel agents play a central role in connecting travellers with flights, accommodation and experiences, their work is ultimately rooted in the people, culture and places that make destinations worth visiting.
The caravan also brought tourism and the creative sector into the same space, highlighting the role of young people, cultural groups and creatives in shaping how destinations are experienced and presented to visitors. Their contribution forms an important part of the tourism product and the broader visitor economy.
As the week came to a close, KATA Coast’s participation across conservation, industry networking, cultural celebration and visitor engagement reflected the many ways in which the travel trade contributes to destination development.
The celebrations provided a platform not only to promote Mombasa, but to participate in the conversations and experiences that position tourism as a driver of opportunity, connection and sustainable growth.
Dubai welcomed 6.97 million international overnight visitors between January and August 2026, with August recording about 869,000 arrivals, according to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
August was the emirate’s strongest month for international visitor numbers since February, with arrivals recording double-digit month-on-month growth since March
The recovery has also been reflected in the hotel sector. Hotel occupancy reached 66% in August, compared with 36% in March, while Dubai’s hotel inventory approached 149,000 rooms. Hotels recorded 21.61 million occupied room nights during the first eight months of the year.
Dubai’s visitor base remains geographically diverse. Western Europe accounted for 20% of international arrivals between January and August, followed by South Asia at 17%, the Gulf Cooperation Council at 16%, and the CIS and Eastern Europe at 14%.
The latest figures were released as Arabian Travel Market 2026 brought the international travel trade together in Dubai from 14–17 September. More than 115 Dubai-based exhibitors are participating, alongside more than 300 international travel trade professionals from over 40 countries through the ATM Hosted Buyers Program.
Emirates adds capacity ahead of winter
The stronger tourism numbers coincide with increased aviation capacity into Dubai. Emirates carried more than 8.6 million passengers in July and August, operating at about 93% of its pre-disruption capacity as it enters the winter travel season.
For Kenyan travelers and travel agents, the airline is set to deploy its A350 on Nairobi services from late October, adding the aircraft to a route that is currently served with three daily flights. The A350 will also be introduced on selected routes to other destinations as Emirates expands capacity for the winter season.
The airline says winter bookings are tracking positively, while more than half a million passengers arrived in Dubai on Emirates flights in late August alone, representing a 7% increase from the same period in 2025.
For Kenyan travel agents, the combination of rising visitor numbers and expanded air capacity provides additional connectivity for clients traveling to Dubai for leisure, shopping, business and stopovers, as well as for passengers connecting through Dubai to destinations across Emirates’ wider network.
Safarilink is offering travel agents 10% off selected fares on routes linking key safari and regional gateways in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, through its distribution partnership with Hahnair.
The promotion is available for bookings made in September 2026, with travel permitted until December 2026. The promotional terms impose no restrictions.
The offer covers routes from Wilson Airport in Nairobi (WIL) to Ukunda (UKA) and Arusha (ARK), as well as international services connecting Nairobi with Entebbe (EBB) and Wilson with Zanzibar (ZNZ).
For clients traveling to the Kenyan coast, the promotion includes Wilson–Ukunda, with two daily services in each direction. The Wilson–Arusha route also operates three times daily, connecting Nairobi and northern Tanzania.
The promotion also covers Nairobi–Entebbe, with daily services and additional evening flights on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The schedule includes a Nairobi–Entebbe service via Kisumu, while the return direction also offers a corresponding connection.
For travelers heading to Zanzibar, Safarilink operates Wilson–Zanzibar services daily, with additional services on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays via Mombasa. The promotion also covers Mombasa–Zanzibar, giving agents another option for connecting Kenya’s coast with Tanzania’s island destination.
Routes and schedules
Route
Schedule
Wilson – Ukunda
Daily: 09:45–10:55; 14:00–15:15
Ukunda – Wilson
Daily: 11:25–12:35; 15:45–17:00
Wilson – Arusha
Daily: 07:15–08:15; 13:10–14:10; 16:00–17:00
Arusha – Wilson
Daily: 08:45–09:45; 14:40–15:40; 17:30–18:30
Nairobi – Entebbe
Daily: 08:50–11:15 via Kisumu; 15:30–17:00; Wed/Fri/Sun: 20:15–21:45
Entebbe – Nairobi
Daily: 12:00–14:35 via Kisumu; 18:00–19:30; Wed/Fri/Sun: 22:30–00:00
Kisumu – Entebbe
Daily: 10:30–11:15
Entebbe – Kisumu
Daily: 13:40–14:35
Wilson – Zanzibar
Daily: 14:00–15:30; Mon/Wed/Fri: 06:45–09:35 via Mombasa
Zanzibar – Wilson
Daily: 16:00–18:55 via Mombasa; Mon/Wed/Fri: 10:15–13:15 via Mombasa
Mombasa – Zanzibar
Daily: 08:45–09:35; 16:10–16:55
Zanzibar – Mombasa
Mon/Wed/Fri: 10:15–11:00; Daily: 16:00–16:40
For Kenyan travel agents, the promotion provides an opportunity to offer clients lower fares while building itineraries that combine safari destinations, the Kenyan coast and neighboring East African markets.
Safarilink is a Kenya-based safari airline operating from Wilson Airport, with a network covering destinations in Kenya and northern Tanzania, including the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Diani, Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar. Hahnair currently lists Safarilink under both the F2 and H1 codes.
Agents should check availability and the applicable promotional fare in their GDS before booking. The promotional fares are subject to the September booking window and travel period ending in December 2026.
