Kenya Airways to resume flights to Somalia

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Summary:

• Kenya Airways will resume direct flights from Nairobi to Mogadishu on February 14, 2024, after their suspension in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, aiming to meet the growing demand for air travel between Kenya and Somalia with two weekly flights. This announcement follows Somalia’s recent admission to the East African Community (EAC).

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Kenya Airways is set to recommence direct flights from Nairobi to Mogadishu, Somalia, starting February 14, 2024. The suspension of these flights in 2020 was a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Julius Thairu, the Chief Commercial and Customer Officer at Kenya Airways, expressed enthusiasm about re-establishing the link between the two cities, citing the growing business and increased air travel between Kenya and Somalia. The airline is dedicated to delivering high-quality service to its customers.

The resumption will provide travelers with the convenience of two weekly flights, scheduled for Wednesdays and Saturdays. The designated flight, KQ 362, will depart Nairobi at 14:00, ensuring passengers reach Mogadishu by 15:45 for a seamless travel experience. The return flight, KQ 363, will operate on the same days, departing Mogadishu at 16:35 and arriving in Nairobi at 18:20.

Kenya Airways has carefully crafted this schedule to meet passenger needs, offering a reliable and punctual air travel option between the two cities. The airline also provides connecting flights to these destinations via Nairobi through its partners to minimize disruptions. Furthermore, Kenya Airways has maintained cargo services to Mogadishu and offers charter flights on demand.

This announcement coincides with Somalia’s recent admission into the East African Community (EAC) as its eighth member. The entry of Somalia is expected to enhance the EAC market to over 300 million people. The decision to admit Somalia was made at a summit in Tanzania, where Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was in attendance. Somalia, with its extensive coastline bordering Kenya, has become a significant addition to the regional bloc, joining Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Somalia’s application to join the EAC was initiated in 2012, and after a verification mission in January 2023 to assess its readiness, the nation officially became a member.

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