Kenya Airways (NSE:KQ) is set to commence daily flights between Nairobi and New York in October.
The National carrier on Thursday begun selling advance tickets for the airline’s inaugural direct flight that will leave Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Kenya Airways said trans-Atlantic flights departing Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) at 10:30pm every day, will last 15 hours, a reduction from the current flight time of over 22 hours.
“We are currently loading the flights on to our system. We shall go live and ready for bookings on Thursday,” said Kenya Airways chairman Michael Joseph on Thursday.
“The launch of direct flights between Kenya and the United States will mark a significant milestone for the business and for the country.”
“This ultra-long haul flight requires ultra-resources, and we are providing the best for our guests,”CEO Sebastian Mikosz.
Each trip will have a maximum of 234 passengers, 204 in Economy and the rest in Business Class of the Kenya Airways Dreamliner aircraft.
In September 2017, KQ was 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.