Kenya Airways has started direct flights from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport to Mogadishu. This is after previous postponement of the flights occasioned by delay in getting additional airline and operational requirements for aircraft operating on this route.
Aircraft Leasing Services will operate on behalf of Kenya Airways under a wet lease or ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance and Insurance) arrangement. Kenya Airways has previously worked with ALS in a similar arrangement flying from Nairobi to Lokichogio.
Today we have introduced a new flight to Mogadishu so you can do business or visit your loved ones with a little more convenience. Book your flight today https://t.co/VkYfxFlBwR #KQNBOMGQ #LetKQTakeYouThere pic.twitter.com/FGWxqIIZnm
— Kenya Airways (@KenyaAirways) December 18, 2018
The first flight, on the all economy class Embraer 145 with a capacity of 50, departs from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Terminal 2E at 13:00 arriving in Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu at 14:45 every day.
In a statement, Kenya Airways CEO Sebastian Mikosz said that the new route underscores the airline’s commitment to serve Africa with a view of supporting the continent’s socio-economic integration and development. He also mentioned that the route now eases travel for thousands of Somalis who live in Kenya as well as those from the diaspora traveling to their native country.
“Introducing more destination on the African continent is a major development and achievement for the airline as part of our strategy, which sets growth on the African continent as one of our key objectives. We look forward to facilitating more commerce opportunities to and from Somalia with this new route, and to provide our guests with the award-winning Pride of Africa experience,” he said.
From Mogadishu, the flight will depart at 15:50 landing at JKIA at 17:35.
Plans by KQ to resume Somalia flight comes a few days after the government opened talks with three neighboring countries to allow Kenya Airways’ (KQ) flights into their countries in a standoff that has caused diplomatic tension with Nairobi.
I’m very happy that we started this route! I believe that we’ll quickly increase our presence in Mogadishu. To our Somali passengers: Soo dhaweyn! ??? https://t.co/CX5g3YDpNJ
— Sebastian Mikosz (@MikoszSebastian) December 18, 2018
Transport and Infrastructure Secretary James Macharia last week said the talks, set to resolve all the outstanding issues between Kenya and three neighboring nations in the East African airspace, are expected to end in the next three weeks.
Burundi declined the Bombardier DHC8-Q400 aircraft last month on the basis that they had no business class seats while South Sudan and Djibouti flatly declined the national carrier’s applications.
The Bombadier planes cost less to operate, hence are preferred by KQ on short-haul flights.
With Kenya Airways currently flying to 53 destinations worldwide, 43 of which are in Africa, the airline now offers a connecting option for its guests coming from Somalia to all the destinations within its network.