NAIROBI
Kenya Airways has launched direct flights to Abuja in Nigeria, paving way for closer ties between the two countries. Kenya Airways will be flying four times a week between JKIA and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
The launch comes on the heels of the recent state visit to Nigeria by President Uhuru Kenyatta as the two countries seek to further cement ties. In recent days, there has been a flurry of activity between the two countries as business magnates conduct high level investment trips to scout for investment opportunities in either nation.
Speaking during the launch of the direct flights to Abuja, Eng. Michael Kamau, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure, reiterated the significance of the direct flights in boosting the bilateral ties by increasing the level of interaction between Kenya and Nigeria.
“Enhancement of intra-African trade is one of the key objectives of our government and transport is a key element to the success of this goal. Direct flights between different nations’ capitals such as the one we are launching between Nairobi and Abuja are key in achieving this objective, besides creating new opportunities for business, industry and tourism,” Eng. Kamau added.
Abuja becomes the second Nigerian city after Lagos that Kenya Airways flies to. The introduction of the flights to Abuja follows a review of the Bilateral Service Agreements by the Kenyan and Nigerian governments in 2013.
Kenya Airways Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Titus Naikuni, said that the introduction of direct flights to Abuja was an illustration of the airline’s commitment towards supporting the continent’s development by facilitating intra-African trade, tourism and interactions between different regions.
“The introduction of direct flights between Nairobi and Abuja is in line with our long term growth strategy, through which we aim to grow our network of destinations and fly to every African capital by 2016. It is our contribution towards efforts to boost intra-Africa trade that currently stands at less than 12%. This is also a great opportunity to shore up intra Africa tourism,” Dr Naikuni added.
The direct flights to Abuja will be operated on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays of every week.
