EAST Africa is expected to
become a gateway to the
US as both Kenya Airways
and RwandAir plan to launch
flights to the country in the
coming year. However, South
African travel agents doubt that
it will be an interesting option
for SA travellers.
The Kenya national carrier
has submitted its application
for direct flights to the US,
targeting June 2018 for the
inaugural flight. The airline is
also seeking to partner with
an American carrier through
codesharing.
Mbuvi Ngunze, Kenya
Airways’ outgoing ceo,
confirmed that the application
had been made, adding
approval might come by the
end of this year. “We plan to
inaugurate the flights in June
next year as we have to match
the approval date with market
trends.”
RwandAir also recently
announced that it was
planning to expand its services
to New York within the next
year (see TNW March 1).
However, although travel
agents say there is always a
need for more airline options
to the US from South Africa,
East Africa might not be an
ideal option because of the
added flying time, unless price
was the determining factor.
“Kenya Airways is a wellknown
airline and travellers
would consider it favourably,
if the prices are good and
connections convenient,”
says Inge Beadle, co-owner of
Corporate Travel Services. She
says although her clients have
been satisfied with RwandAir,
some travellers might be
hesitant to fly via Kigali
because of security concerns.
According to Dinesh Naidoo,
group operations director of
SWG, the distance to the US
via East Africa is just too long.
“SAA and Delta fly direct from
South Africa. Other travellers
will choose to fly through the
Middle East, which offers a
much better option than East
Africa,” he says.
However, Rachael Penaluna,
business manager of Sure
Maritime Travel, says the ban
on electronics from some
Middle Eastern countries has
changed the game. She says
flying via East Africa is not
ideal because of the extra
flying time, making Europe the
better alternative. “This will be
an interesting route to watch
in light of airline and worldwide
security and how it affects
travellers.”
