Kenya Airways Granted Permission for direct flights to USA

National Carrier, Kenya Airways PLC, has been granted permission by the Department of Transportation to fly into the United States for both cargo and passenger flights.

“Scheduled and charter foreign air transportation of persons, property, and mail from any point or points behind Kenya, via any point or points in Kenya and any intermediate points, to any points or points in the United States and beyond,” said Brian Hedberg, Director Office of International Aviation.

“This approval by the DOT has been achieved thanks to the hard work of great individuals within all the departments of KQ. I am confident that our team will complete the next milestones with the same success and allow us to operate non-stop flights to the US in 2018,” said Kenya Airways Commercial Director Vincent Coste.

Kenya Airways is working with both the Kenyan Ministry of Transport and the US Department authorities to ensure all requirements are met.

According to Brian Hedberg, Director Office of International Aviation, “This permit shall be effective on September 5, 2017. Unless otherwise terminated at an earlier date pursuant to the terms of any applicable treaty, convention or agreement, this permit shall terminate:

(1) upon the dissolution or liquidation of the holder to whom it was issued;
(2) upon the effective date of any treaty, convention, or agreement or amendment, which shall have the effect of eliminating the bilateral right for the service authorized by this permit from the service which may be operated by airlines designated by the Government of Kenya (or, if the right is partially eliminated, then the authority of this permit shall terminate in like part);
(3) upon the effective date of any permit granted by the Department to any other carrier designated by the Government of Kenya in lieu of the holder; or (4) upon the termination or expiration of the applicable air services agreement between the United States and Kenya.

In February, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted Jomo Kenyatta International Airport a Category One status.

With Category 1, there will be faster movement of goods and people between the two countries.

US exports to Kenya include medicine and electronics will be direct between the two countries with a subsequent improvement in the supply chain.