Jeddah set to welcome new link with Kenya

The growing links between east Africa and the Middle East will be strengthened next month with the start of flights between Nairobi and Jeddah by Kenyan national carrier, Kenya Airways.

Kenya Airways will operate the route twice a week every Tuesday and Saturday on a Boeing 737-800 starting from October 18th

The African airline has been adding new aircraft to its fleet and has a clear aim to be the hub for Africa.

According Dr Titus Naikuni, the airline’s group managing director and CEO, Jeddah is an important destination for the airline because of its economic importance as a trading partner for several African and European countries as well as being the gateway to the Holy city of Mecca.

“Kenya Airways is pleased to launch this service, our third to the Middle Eastern region. It is testament to our efforts to grow our network internationally so as to offer connectivity not just across Africa, but from Africa to the rest of the world through our Nairobi hub.”

Dr. Naikuni added reiterated that Kenya Airways would relentlessly pursue its growth objective this year by adding new routes to its network and improving its the efficiency on existing ones.

“We are doing this by adding new aircraft and establishing additional frequencies on the high traffic routes to ensure we offer more alternative flights to our customers. We have just taken delivery of our eighth Embraer E-190 jet and another one is currently going through final tests before its delivery early next month.”

Dr. Naikuni added that Kenya Airways will use the new route to serve travelers within Africa and from outside the continent desirous of shorter connection time to rest of Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Far East through its hub at the JKIA in Nairobi.

Kenya also sees potential from inbound visitors from the region.

“The Middle East offers great potential for tourists for Kenya and we are confident that the new service from Kenya Airways will make it easier