Residents and business professionals in Turkana's Lokichoggio can now access direct air travel to Nairobi following East African Safari Air Express's resumption of operations on the route. The airline, which previously operated as Fly-SAX, announced scheduled flights beginning March 15, 2019, eliminating the need to travel 215 kilometers to Lodwar for air connections.
The carrier suspended services in 2014 for runway rehabilitation at Lokichoggio Airport, managed by the Kenya Airports Authority. The relaunch focuses on commercial passengers rather than humanitarian operations that previously dominated the route due to the Kakuma Refugee Camp and South Sudan's conflict zones.
Managing director George Kivindyo emphasized the shift in focus: "Those in the county and associated organizations struggle to travel for family visits or business meetings in Nairobi." The airline will initially operate on Fridays and Sundays, with plans to increase frequency based on demand and potential connections to Eldoret and Kitale.
East African Safari Air Express has ordered two 19-seater aircraft to expand its fleet, aiming to connect remote regions including Garissa, Marsabit, and Moyale. Kivindyo stated, "We need only half the seats occupied to justify the route," as the carrier expands from its Wilson Airport hub to Wajir, Lamu, Malindi, Maasai Mara, and Homa Bay.
