Rising interest among tourists and business people in Kenya has seen 36 passenger and cargo airlines apply for licences to operate local and international flights from Nairobi. If granted, the move could lead to fierce competition, forcing operators to reduce fares and fees charged for cargo moved within Kenya.
The applications to the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority indicate excitement among visitors seeking to savour Kenya’s wildlife and beaches and business travellers planning to ferry goods to various Kenyan destinations.
Zimbabwe-based Global Africa Aviation (Put) Ltd has sought permission to operate cargo flights from Harare to Nairobi, while West Wind Aviation Ltd seeks the nod to offer passenger and freight flights between Nairobi and the East, West, Central and Southern Africa from its current base at Wilson Airport.
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Italy’s NEOS S.P.A and Meridiana Fly has sought a permit to operate charter flights on a bi-weekly basis from Malpensa, Italy to Mombasa and a weekly flight from Katowice in Poland and Hurghada in Egypt, to Mombasa respectively. Others include Poland’s Small Planet Airlines that plans weekly flights to Kenya while Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation has sought permission to run cargo services from Nairobi to Jeddah and back.
On the East African front, Auric Air Services Ltd, Tanzanian Air Services and Air Excel Ltd, all from Tanzania are seeking to offer passenger services, thanks to the recently signed air traffic protocol that gives regional operators from East African Community automatic rights to use sister facilities at no extra cost.
Five Forty Aviation and Baracuda Airways Holdings Ltd plan to launch weekly flights to Homa Bay, while the East African Safari Air Express Ltd wants to be allowed to fly to Kabarnet weekly.
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