Kenya’s national carrier, Kenya Airways has announced the resumption of flights to Mogadishu starting February 14, 2024.
The flights, according to the flag carrier will be three times a week upon resumption.
“Starting 14th February 2024, fly non-stop to Mogadishu from Nairobi 3x weekly on Kenya Airways every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday,” Kenya Airways noted in a statement.
Further, the airline specified their fares which will start from Kshs160,807 (USD 1050).
The resumption of the flights follows the temporary suspension in August 2020 to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus.
Notably, Kenya Airways cited that the flight resumption will be phased.
Speaking ahead of the resumption, Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial and Customer Officer at Kenya Airways, reiterated that the move was timely with increased business activity between Kenya and Somalia.
“This move aligns with the increasing business and the growing number of air travel between Kenya and Somalia. Kenya Airways is committed to providing high-quality service for our customers, as we work together to foster trade and investment for sustained growth,” Julius Thairu noted.
Also Read: Kenya Airways Hands Over Boeing Plane to Mang’u High School
The flight schedule has two weekly flights from Mogadishu to Nairobi on Wednesdays and Saturdays via flight number KQ 362 from 14:00hours to 15:45 hours.
Another plane, flight number KQ 363 is scheduled to do a late day flight from Mogadishu to Nairobi from 16:35 hours to 18:20 hours.
Somalia’s Admission into the EAC
Similarly, the development comes after East African Community – EAC member states admitted Somalia to the bloc.
We have decided to admit the Federal Republic of Somalia under the treaty of accession,” outgoing EAC chair, Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, said at a summit of the grouping in Tanzania.
Also Read; Kenya to Re-Open Boarder with Somalia
Speaking after the Summit of East Africa Community Heads of State admitted his country into the bloc, Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud described the decision as a historic one.
Additionally, he added that the move will be mutually beneficial for both Somalia and the EAC.
Notably, Somalia had previously applied to join the community between 2012 and 2017.
However, its request was initially rejected, owing to its security situation and weak governance.
However, after another application in 2019, the EAC sent a verification team to Mogadishu.
The admission into the EAC as the eighth member of the bloc ushered a new dawn for the country in the horn of Africa.
This was noted by President Hassan Sheikh who stated that Somalia now had hope for a future of opportunities and prosperity.
