This archive report was first published on 28 November 2019.
On Wednesday, Air India's flight from Mumbai to Nairobi touched down, marking the airline's return to Kenya after a decade-long hiatus.
With 100 passengers on board, this milestone flight signifies a renewed commitment to the Kenyan market, which has been a vital source of tourism for the country.
According to Betty Radier, CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board, the return of Air India will have a positive impact on tourism, trade, and bilateral relations between the two nations.
"India is one of Kenya's top tourist source markets," Radier noted during a reception in Nairobi. "Arrivals from India in 2018 grew by 51.9 per cent to reach 125,032. Kenya is confident of sustained tourist arrivals from India following this arrival," she added.
Initially, Air India will operate four direct flights per week, with plans to increase frequency in the future.
The airline aims to tap into the potential of Tier I and II city markets in India, leveraging its existing domestic infrastructure network, market knowledge, and presence.
