Thursday, January 18th, 2024 01:00 | By
Tourists dock at Moi International Airport, Mombasa. PHOTO/Harrison Kivisu
Dubai-based low-cost carrier flydubai has launched direct flights to Mombasa as it seeks to expand its Africa market share, thus boosting tourism sector.
The airline will become the first national carrier with direct flights from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the Kenyan coastal city, a preferred tourism destination.
The inaugural flight touched down at the Moi International Airport in with over 119 tourists and was received by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua and his Transport counterpart, Kipchumba Murkomen.
Mutua said the airline signifies a destination confidence, adding this will increase tourism numbers to Mombasa and Kenya in general. “This is a major boost because Mombasa is a tourist destination and this means increase in guests which translates into business and good economy,” he said.
Opening the skies
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir asked the national government to continue opening the skies for charter flights to ensure Mombasa opens economically.
“We want fly Dubai to be part and parcel of Mombasa, we have been knocking doors demanding for open sky policy and we can see the fruits,” he said, adding that the chatter flights will reduce the cost of transport.
Murkomen said the government is satisfied that the direct flights will impact the economy. He said flydubai is a game changer to connectivity into the middle East.
“We gave them permission May last year. We gave them four flights a week and the reason why we chose Mombasa is because the region has been a pivotal gateway to the country and also serves as a tourist hub,” he stated.
Murkomen said it will act as a linkage to the middle east, adding that the government is working hard to double the number of tourist visiting the country.
Potential market
The carrier’s Senior vice president Sudhir Sreedharan said the airline sees a potential market in Kenya and will link Kenya to over 120 destinations globally, adding that the company is ready to increase fights if granted the permission.
According to flydubai, return business class fares from Dubai to Mombasa will start from $1,143 (Sh165,950).
