This archive report was first published on 15 July 2019.
Kenya Airways has taken a significant step towards expanding its domestic routes after receiving an air service licence from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
According to a Gazette notice issued by KCAA on 12 July 2019, the airline has been granted a three-year licence to operate new domestic flight routes, including Wajir, Homabay, Lokichoggio, Isiolo, and Maasai Mara.
The airline will use a range of aircraft, including Boeing 777, Boeing 787, Boeing 737, Boeing 8170, Embraer 190, Embraer 145, and DHCS, based at Jomo Kenyatta, Moi, Kisumu, and Eldoret airports.
“Licence granted for three years, with effect from the 22 March 2019,” KCAA said in the notice.
The expansion of Kenya Airways' domestic routes is likely to increase competition for smaller airlines such as Silverstone Air, which already operates on some of these routes.
Kenya Airways currently operates on several domestic routes, including Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu, and also offers services to Eldoret, Lamu, Malindi, and Ukunda.
The airline charges between Sh5,500 and Sh12,500 for a one-way ticket, depending on the season, while Silverstone Air charges between Sh4,500 and Sh10,000, and Fly 540 charges between Sh4,500 and Sh9,500.
