This archive report was first published on 18 December 2019.
As Christmas approaches, Kenyans are facing a surge in domestic airfares, with prices nearly doubling on increased demand.
According to airline data, ticket prices from Nairobi to Kisumu have risen to a peak of Sh14,800 from an average of Sh6,800 during week days and about Sh10,000 on weekends.
Flights to the coastal city of Mombasa from Nairobi are almost fully booked, with the cost of remaining seats increasing to Sh15,800, from an average of Sh7,800 in November.
Jambojet chief executive officer Allan Kilavuka attributed the high fares to high demand for air travel during the festive season.
“More people want to travel and there is less capacity in the market. This is what has pushed up the cost,” said Mr Kilavuka in a phone interview.
The standard gauge railway (SGR) passenger train service between Nairobi and Mombasa is also fully booked ahead of Christmas, forcing holiday makers to seek expensive alternatives like road and air transport.
Airlines have increased the number of flights to popular destinations in response to high demand for air travel, with Jambojet adding 54 additional flights per week on most of the routes it flies to.
