A local airline has launched its first flight from Garissa easing travel woes for local residents and visitors to the north eastern town.
Freedom Airline, which carried its first passengers Tuesday, will be operating on Monday and Fridays. It will charge Ksh 5,000 per passenger per trip.
According to Shillow Abukar, the manager of the airline, he decided to venture into the business following numerous requests from residents.
Speaking to the press after seeing off the first group of travelers, Shillow said that the agency will be consistent and urged residents to travel by air, saying it was faster and more affordable.
“I am really encouraged by the big number of those who had turned up to travel on the first day (17 in number). I am optimistic that going forward, we will have a much bigger number who will fill the plane,” said Hillow.
Buses normally charge Ksh 1,000 and take six hours from Garissa to Nairobi. Shillow said that the airline plans to make it daily depending on the passengers.
Fatuma Abdi, a nominated MCA from Garissa, who was among those who flew on the inaugural flight, welcomed it saying that it will go along way that apart from reducing cost, it will also reduce traveling hours.
“Initially I used to get inconvenienced a lot. Whenever I wanted to travel to Nairobi I was forced to fuel my vehicle and hire a driver. In total I was using close to 25,000.but with the flight, I will save a lot,” she said.
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She challenged the airline to start of direct flights from Garissa to Mombasa and Lamu saying that many have business interests in the areas but it was tiring to travel by road.
Ahmed Jelle, a local business man, said the move will save lives as the sick can now be quickly rushed to Nairobi for treatment.
Two years ago, another company, Sagal Airline, launched operations to and from the town but did not last a week because there were no passengers as many were opposed to the Ksh 8,000 fare they were charging per passenger.
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