May 30, 2012…….National
carrier Kenya Airways has announced the launch of flights to two new
destinations - Kilimanjaro in Northern Tanzania and Eldoret in Kenya’s Rift
Valley - beginning July.
The airline will, from July 2, fly to Kilimanjaro
International Airport and twice daily to Eldoret starting July 4. The launch of
the new destinations is expected to strengthen the airline’s presence in the
region.
Kenya Airways will operate narrow body Embraer E170 aircraft
on the Eldoret route with KQ 660 and KQ661 departing from Nairobi and Eldoret
at 0740hrs and 0910hrs respectively. In the evening, KQ664 will depart Nairobi
at 1715hrs whilst KQ665 departs from Eldoret at 1900hrs.
The airline will also operate E170 to Kilimanjaro starting
with 6 flights a week until 30th September and growing to daily
flights from 1st October.
KQ420 to Kilimanjaro will depart Nairobi at 1000hrs and KQ 421 will depart
Kilimanjaro International Airport at 1140hrs.
Kilimanjaro International Airport is strategically located
in northern Tanzania’s rich northern tourism market. Eldoret is one the major
towns in Kenya’s agriculturally rich Central Rift region.
Kenya Airways Group Managing Director Titus Naikuni said
that the northern Tanzania region has great tourism attractions including the
world-renowned Serengeti National Park.
“In line with our plans to exploit the untapped economic
potential of the African continent, we have identified Kilimanjaro as a
strategic destination in the region owing to the vibrant tourism circuit in the
hinterland including the world famous Serengeti,” stated Dr Naikuni.
Kilimanjaro International Airport is strategically located
between Kilimanjaro and Arusha in Northern Tanzania, in a region that is world
famous for its tourist attractions like the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and
Olduvai Gorge. The airport was inaugurated in 1971 and was mooted as the “Gateway to Africa’s Rich Wildlife Heritage.”
Arusha houses several major
international bodies including the United Nations. This provides a good
opportunity to tap into conference and business tourism. Arusha is also home to
the East African Community and hosts the regional legislative assembly besides
boasting a large expatriate community.
On Eldoret, Dr Naikuni the decision to fly to there is based
on growing passenger volumes as devolution takes root and more businesses take
advantage of the unfolding economic opportunities.
“Eldoret is a busy town considering its proximal location to
the country food basket. Also, as more people seek opportunities in the
counties, we expect passenger volumes to grow,” noted Dr Naikuni.
The
launch of the Kilimanjaro and Eldoret routes comes after the national carrier
launched flights to New Delhi India on May 15.