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Kenya Airways resumes flights to Eldoret after 10-year break

A Kenya Airways plane. (Photo: Nicolas Economou/ NurPhoto/ AFP)

By Amina Wako | Thursday, March 21, 2024

The airline will operate flights five days a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays), enhancing connectivity to the agriculturally rich region.

Kenya Airways (KQ) has announced the resumption of their weekly passenger flights on the Nairobi-Eldoret route starting Monday, March 25, 2024.

The airline will operate flights five days a week (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays), enhancing connectivity to the agriculturally rich region.

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The carrier will charge passengers an introductory fare of Sh8,505 for a one-way ticket.

Having ceased operations on the Nairobi-Eldoret route in 2014, KQ's decision to resume services aligns with its strategy to expand operations following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka emphasised the significance of reconnecting Eldoret to the airline's network.

"Our renewed focus on the domestic market reaffirms Kenya Airways' pivotal role in advancing Africa's economic prosperity," he said.

Kilavuka highlighted the airline's commitment to stimulating growth and fostering lasting socio-economic development in the region.

The CEO pledged to provide reliable and efficient air travel, along with competitive fares, to support the government's economic development agenda and promote regional integration.

"The airline remains committed to its mission to connect people, cultures, and markets, contributing to the prosperity and well-being of communities across Africa and beyond," he said.

The resumption of Kenya Airways flights to Eldoret signals a positive step toward enhancing connectivity and facilitating economic growth in Uasin Gishu County and beyond.

Expansion strategy

In recent months, the airline has embarked on an ambitious expansion strategy, introducing new routes like the Nairobi-Bangkok flights as it actively seeks opportunities to capitalise on the global travel market.

Last month, Kenya Airways' first flight to Mogadishu, Somalia, after a suspension in 2020, landed at the Aden Adde International Airport, signalling deeper ties between the two countries and stamping community integration efforts.

The resumption of three weekly flights to Mogadishu is part of KQ's network expansion strategy aimed at enhancing connectivity across the African continent to contribute to long-term economic progress.

As part of its expansion strategy, the national carrier has also expanded its route to include direct cargo flights to Sharjah in the UAE and Mogadishu.

KQ also recently signed a codeshare agreement with Spanish Airlines Air Europa, to allow passengers from Kenya to fly to parts of Europe and the USA with ease.

The national carrier will deploy its codes on four Air Europa routes, specifically from Amsterdam to Madrid, Madrid to Palma de Mallorca, Madrid to New York, and Miami, allowing Kenya Airways passengers to access these destinations seamlessly.