THOUGHTS ON KQ'S INAUGURAL DIRECT FLIGHT BETWEEN MOMBASA & DUBAI

The move by the management of our national carrier Kenya Airways in announcing direct flights from Moi International Airport in Mombasa to Dubai and vice versa that will start on December 15th is welcome and at the same time it's quite long overdue!

Kenya has no choice but to liberalize its skies/Open Skies Policy. The introduction of this route is key and strategic as it will open up the Kenya coastal region, boost the tourism & hospitality industry as well as stimulate trade to the coastal counties. If KQ has a network expansion strategy, then this launch should be a commitment towards supporting the recovery of the tourism and hospitality industry.

Moreover, according to the World Bank, while scheduled flights are available to the second largest country's airport, tourists from Europe coming to the coast during peak season generally arrive on charter flights. Therefore, there is need for KQ to rethink & reimagine direct flights from Mombasa to Paris, from London to Mombasa as well etc.

Liberalization provides an enabling environment for airlines to enter into agreements that provide maximum cooperation in the form of commercial and operational flexibility. These commercial agreements enable airlines to pursue the opportunities that come with unlimited access to markets because of their ability to operate to any intermediate destinations en route to their final destinations thereby making convenient and affordable intra reality.