Access to the coast region has gotten a boost after Dubai-based airline flydubai launched direct flights from Mombasa to Dubai.
The Dubai-based carrier inaugurated its operations to Mombasa in Kenya on Wednesday 17th January with flight FZ 1289 from Dubai International (DXB) to Moi International Airport in Mombasa.
flydubai‘s inaugural flight to Mombasa and the country touched down at the Moi International Airport on Wednesday making the airline the first carrier from the UAE to operate direct flights to the city.
While receiving the inaugural flight from Dubai, Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said flydubai flights to Mombasa will open the country to a new set of tourists.
“The launch of this route is monumental for Kenya’s aviation sector and the people of the Coast region since it will increase tourist arrivals to Mombasa from across flyDubai networks leading to the growth of the hospitality and tourism sector, creation of jobs directly and indirectly, and the revitalization of the economies of the City of Mombasa and the region at large,” said Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen.
CS Murkomen said that the government will continue to capitalize on the visa-free policy initiated by President William Ruto, to encourage more partnerships with key players in the aviation sector and engage in mutually beneficial discussions that will result in increased tourist arrivals, job creation and overall growth of the country’s economy.
The airline will have four scheduled weekly flights, on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. The first return flight took off on Wednesday.
“I hope those four flights are going to have a multiple effect and we will see more flights coming into Mombasa. Very soon we will also be seeing more charter flights flying from Mombasa to Lamu, Kilifi, Taita Taveta, and other parts of the reason for those who wish to the game parks and other sites,” said Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir during the launch.
With the new flight route, flydubai now grows its network in Africa to 12 destinations in 11 countries.
Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations at flydubai said the airline is looking forward to increasing the frequency from four as time goes by.
“The start of operations will serve the growing Kenyan community in the UAE, support trade between our two countries, and provide passengers from the UAE and from across the growing flydubai network with access to a gateway to explore the tourism offered in Kenya,” said Senior VP Sreedharan.
“I am confident that the visitors from UAE and our other networks will enjoy Mombasa’s vibrant culture, ancient architecture, and beautiful sandy beaches,” he added.
flydubai’s network in Africa includes Addis Ababa, Alexandria, Asmara, Cairo, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti, Entebbe, Hargeisa, Juba, Mogadishu, Mombasa and Zanzibar.
