Belgium’s Brussels Airlines has resumed direct Nairobi flights after a 9-year break with plans to fly six times per week.
Belgium’s largest airline says the decision to return to the route was triggered by travelers expanding options to and from Kenya due to increased connecting flights between Europe and North America through Brussels.
Speaking during the launch at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar said the airline's return signals the sector's continued recovery, especially after the negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This important milestone comes on the back of a resurgent air transport business in our country. For instance, the number of passengers traveling through Kenyan airports increased by 9pc from 10.236 million in 2022 to 11.147 million in 2023,” said Daghar.
Brussels Airlines Chief Executive Officer Dorothea von Boxberg said that since the flights went on sale, 50,000 people have already booked their tickets to visit Nairobi or to fly from Nairobi to Brussels.
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“ Our first flights to Nairobi are completely full. Nairobi is a vibrant city and the perfect gateway for an unforgettable trip to Kenya. The other way around we offer connections to Europe and beyond via Brussels to let Kenyans explore the world, study, or grow their businesses,” said Boxberg.
Europe is the second highest source market, contributing 29pc of the market share in Kenya and recording 572,352 arrivals last year.
Daghar added that the government will continue to undertake major investments in infrastructure, technology, facilities, equipment, and systems to improve aviation infrastructure, air navigation services, and aviation training capacity in Kenya.
Brussels Airlines, part of Lufthansa Group, currently flies to 18 destinations in sub-Saharan Africa. The relaunch of the Nairobi route signals planned expansion to the region.
On his part, Immigration and Citizen Services Principal Secretary Julius Bitok welcomed the airline’s six weekly flights to demonstrate the impact of the visa-free regime.
“We are happy about this initiative because our government has been opening the country through the visa-free regime,” Bitok said.
Further, he said the inaugural flight saw 200 passengers receive the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in a record time.
