As it seeks
to reclaim its glory, Kenya Airways has partnered with Safarilink Aviation to
open up Kenya to global travellers.
The two airlines have signed a one-way codeshare agreement where KQ will be selling Safarilink’s direct flights to the best safari and unique beach destinations within Kenya and Tanzania.
This
codeshare agreement means that KQ will sell 18 remote Safarilink destinations
in their global sales and distribution network, enabling them to combine their
travel experience between respective international destinations and 18 remote
destinations within Kenya and Tanzania that Safarilink operates.
During the
signing of the partnership, Kenya Airways Chief Executive Officer Sebastian
Mikosz said, “We have seen the need to give travel ease to our customers by
connecting their destinations. This partnership will also significantly open up
Kenya’s tourist destinations to international travellers by allowing tour
operators and travel agencies to create unique holiday packages connecting from
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (KJIA) to Wilson Airport and eventually to
their respective safari destinations, which is a great convenience to them.”
The
partnership will see KQ place its codeshare flight numbers on the Safarilink
flights so that customers from international destinations can book their full
safari experience directly via KQ holidays or via tour operators and travel
agents.
It will
provide daily scheduled flights that will provide convenient access to the
eleven air strips in Maasai Mara and direct flights to Amboseli, Laikipia, Lewa
downs, Olpajeta, Loisaba, Samburu, Lamu, Zanzibar, Ukunda, Vipingo,
Kilimanjaro, Tsavo, Lodwar, Kitale, Lake Naivasha, Nanyuki and Mt. Kenya
avoiding long and cumbersome road transport.
Also
commenting on the codeshare agreement, Safarilink Aviation Chief Executive
Officer Alex Avedi said, “We are very pleased to be entering into this
significant partnership with KQ which will provide seamless connection of
passengers from the KQ network straight into Kenya and Tanzania’s world famous
parks. We are delighted that KQ chose us on account of our commitment to safety
and quality.”
This
codeshare agreement came on the same day as Kenya Airways marked its first
anniversary celebratory flight to New York.
KQ’s other
international destinations include Bangkok, Dubai, Guangzhou, Mumbai,
Amsterdam, London, Geneva, Rome and Paris.
Over 1.3
million people toured Kenya through JKIA in 2018 with Kenya Airways being
responsible for 60 per cent of overall traffic at the airport.
Sales will
effectively start before the end of this month.
Just
recently, KQ celebrated one year since it launched the Nairobi-New York route.
During the
year, the national carrier ferried over 105,000 passengers, operated 594
flights and continues to establish strategic partnerships to provide options
for more seamless connections between Africa and US.
The airline
was the first in East Africa to fly non-stop into a US city and since the
launch of the NBO – NYC route on October 28, 2018, the national carrier has
signed 15 Codeshare agreements which have seen it steadily penetrate the highly
competitive US market.
Safarilink
seeks to leverage on the destinations KQ has to increase its traffic in Kenya
and Tanzania.
Read >> Beneath the Beauty Lie Traumatic Scars for Betty Kyalo
Kenya is my home and its development and growth my motivation.
I have a pen and a story to tell about why #KenyaIsMagical.
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We can showcase Kenya together since there is no place like home.
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