Kenya Airways has begun flying directly from Nairobi to New York City after suspending the key route in March this year, due to covid19 pandemic. “The weekly non-stop flight resumed on Sunday 29th November 2020 offering customers who book tickets before 10th December 2020 discounts,” the airline said in a statement to the press.
According to Kenya Airways CEO Allan Kilavuka, the New York – Nairobi route is an important link that will help the national carrier rebuild its global network. The airline sees great signs of recovery in the air travel sector.
KQ has reopened the route just in time for the high travel season when most people travel for holiday or to be with family.
“….we are excited to offer more travel options with global connections, bridging long distances and physically bringing families and friends together. We are also proud to enable travel for business and leisure, which have a direct impact on economic growth and job creation for Kenya,” said Mr Kilavuka.
The airline says it has put in place sufficient safety measures to ensure that all passengers and crew members are protected from contracting coronavirus during their travel.
Resumption of the Nairobi -New York flight will boost the airline’s revenues which have plummeted due to low passenger numbers since March this year. Most airlines have been adversely affected and some are relying on government bailouts to survive.