Kenya Airways flies to Mogadishu after 3-year hiatus

Kenya Airways' first flight to Mogadishu, Somalia, after a suspension in 2020, landed at the Aden Adde International Airport on Thursday, signalling deeper ties between the two countries and stamping community integration efforts.

In a social media teaser ahead of the flight, a KQ pilot of Somali origin is overhead welcoming passengers in the native language. Upon landing, travellers were welcomed by Kenyan Ambassador to Somalia Kubai Kiringo and other officials from the embassy in Mogadishu, and were gifted with hampers.

The resumption of three weekly flights to Mogadishu is part of KQ's network expansion strategy aimed at enhancing connectivity across the African continent to contribute to long-term economic progress.

The route was launched in 2003 and suspended following the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside flights to Djibouti and Khartoum in Sudan.

KQ will fly to the Somalia capital every Monday, Thursday, and Saturday, leaving the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi at 2 pm and flying back from Mogadishu at 4.30 pm.

The airline announced the resumption of flights to Mogadishu days after Somalia was officially admitted to the East African Community (EAC) as the eighth member.

A schedule shows the timing of Kenya Airways' first flight to Mogadishu, Somalia since 2020, at the JKIA in Nairobi on February 13, 2024. (Photo: X/ Kipchumba Murkomen)

Key move

Earlier in Nairobi, a celebration to mark the resumption of the flights took place at the JKIA, with officials touting the move as one that spurs development, trade, Kenya-Somalia ties and community integration.

In his speech, Chief Executive Officer Allan Kilavuka noted that Somalia is emerging as an attractive business destination in East Africa due to enhanced security and the country's EAC membership.

"Our mission of propelling Africa's prosperity by connecting its people, cultures and markets is reflective of our commitment through this resumption as it will ease travel between the two cities that are the focal points for business," he said.

Julius Thairu, the airline's chief commercial and customer officer, said their primary goal is to foster Kenya-Somalia ties.

"This decision was guided by the desire to enhance connectivity, facilitate trade and business travel, and promote cultural exchange," he said.

"Our mission is to drive Africa's prosperity by connecting its people, cultures, and markets. From Feb 15th, Nairobi and Mogadishu will be connected through 3 weekly flights, facilitated by a bilateral Air Service Agreement. " - Julius Thairu, Chief Commercial & Customer Officer pic.twitter.com/Bv2oNyMhtg

— Kenya Airways (@KenyaAirways) February 14, 2024

Kipchumba Murkomen, Kenya's Roads and Transport minister, said KQ's move reflected the "true spirit of the Pride of Africa" and will significantly deepen community integration.

"The resumption of operations is a celebration of resilience and strategic foresight of our nation's aviation sector."

Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar said the return of flights of the Somalia capital symbolises stronger diplomatic ties and is a "profound step towards fostering peace, stability, and prosperity in the region".

He said, "In the face of past challenges, the resumption of these flights serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating our collective resilience and determination to overcome adversity."

Murkomen further noted that Somalia's airspace, which recently regained Class A certification, becomes KQ's 44th destination.

On trade, he said, "It is worth noting that the extensive policy reforms implemented by the government have seen a sporadic growth in traffic volumes at our airports, up from Sh10.236 million in 2022 to Sh11.147 million in 2023, with many airlines applying to fly directly to Kenya."

As such, he said, a new, ultramodern and bigger terminal is needed at the JKIA and will be constructed through a public-private partnership model and at no cost to the taxpayer.

"Expression of interest for the construction of the new terminal will be out in the next one or two weeks," he said, adding "we are also soon signing an airport charter to ensure seamless operations at the airport under a one-stop shop."

He thanked Somalia, through the Somalia Civil Aviation Authority, for expediting the issuance of the Foreign Operator Certificate and approving the winter schedule for KQ's passenger and cargo operations.

Others present at the event were Somalia's Ambassador to Kenya Jabril Ibrahim Abdulle, Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) Director-General Emile Arao, and Kenya Airports Authority Board Chairman Caleb Kositany.

Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen flags off Kenya Airways' first flight to Mogadishu, Somalia, since 2020, at the JKIA in Nairobi on February 13, 2024. (Photo: X/ Kipchumba Murkomen)

Somalia Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) Deputy Director Ali Jama said flight resumption to Mogadishu is a sign of the growing confidence the world has in Somalia.

"Somalia welcomes Kenya Airways back again. Their resumption of flights to Mogadishu is a sign of growing confidence many airlines have in the improving situation in Somalia which is an emerging market as well. Since Somalia has joined the East African Community, we tell them Karibu sana Mogadishu," he said.

Other expansion moves

The relaunch event for KQ's flights to Mogadishu was held on February 1, 2023, at a colourful ceremony at the BBS Mall in Eastleigh, Nairobi.

As part of its expansion strategy, the national carrier has also expanded its route to include direct cargo flights to Sharjah in the UAE and Mogadishu. Weekly operations begin on February 9, 2024, with plans underway to increase frequencies to twice a week by April 2024.

KQ Cargo has joined forces with Global GSA Cargo LLC, a renowned global cargo sales and service agent based in the UAE, as its cargo logistics partner for this significant route.

KQ also recently signed a codeshare agreement with Spanish Airlines Air Europa, to allow passengers from Kenya to fly to parts of Europe and the USA with ease.

The national carrier will deploy its codes on four Air Europa routes, specifically from Amsterdam to Madrid, Madrid to Palma de Mallorca, Madrid to New York, and Miami, allowing Kenya Airways passengers to access these destinations seamlessly.

Under the agreement, passengers will enjoy benefits such as the purchase of a single ticket, a single check-in, and connections with minimum waiting times.

Air Europa will place its code on the Kenya Airways Amsterdam-Nairobi flight, enabling Air Europa passengers to fly to Nairobi from Amsterdam seamlessly.