LAST month, Nairobi’s
Jomo Kenyatta International
Airport was officially granted
Category 1 Status by the
US government. Airlines,
both in Kenya and the US,
will be allowed to operate
direct flights between the two
countries. However, despite
the certification, airlines have
no plans to launch any direct
flights just yet.
Delta Air Lines and Kenya
Airways previously expressed
interest in the route. Delta
told TNW it did not foresee
interest in the route in the
near-term.
A spokesperson said:
“Delta Air Lines remains
interested in a service
to Nairobi-Jomo Kenyatta
International Airport in the
event that NBO is approved
by the US government as
a last point of departure.
Given the current state of
security affairs, economic
climate, and the competitive
landscape, however, we do
not foresee interest in the
near-term, but we continue to
evaluate security and other
factors on an ongoing basis.”
Kenya Airways’ md and
ceo, Mbuvi Ngunze, said
it planned to undertake a
commercial evaluation with
the relevant authorities to
determine the viability and
timing of operations. He said,
if the airline were to launch
any flight to the US, its first
priority would be to pursue
codeshare arrangements
with its partners in SkyTeam.
“This will enable us to sell
tickets to and from any US
state and drive revenues
directly to us.” He said
although it would take
time, the airline would start
immediately.
American Airlines and
United Airlines also told TNW
that they had no immediate
plans to launch direct routes
to Kenya.
Experts say Ortia’s position
as a hub could be under
threat, given Nairobi’s new
aviation status. “Thanks to
its geographical location,
Nairobi gives easy access
into East Africa. This
will undoubtedly affect
Johannesburg as a hub,” said
Barsa ceo, June Crawford.
The airport’s certification
would undoubtedly strengthen
Nairobi as a hub to be
reckoned with in Africa, said
Chris Zweigenthal, Aasa ceo.
He said it was good news for
aviation in Africa as it would
increase competition.
