Kenya and Somalia Collaborate to Increase Flight Frequency: New Agreement
Friday August 11, 2023
On Wednesday, Kenya and Somalia successfully inked a bilateral air services agreement, signifying a significant step towards boosting travel between the two nations.
Kipchumba Murkomen, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Roads, Transport, and Public Works, issued a statement affirming that the airlines of both countries will now have the opportunity to increase the number of flights offered to passengers. Specifically, these airlines will be permitted to operate a total of seven weekly flights on specified routes. As for cargo flights, there will be no limitations on frequency.
Murkomen further added, “Additionally, the designated airlines from Kenya and Somalia will be eligible to engage in code-sharing arrangements with any airline, be it a domestic or international carrier, as long as there is an agreed upon traffic act.”
The newly-signed agreement also opens doors for collaboration between the civil aviation authorities of Kenya and Somalia, fostering the sustainable development of both countries’ aviation industries.
Murkomen highlighted that the process leading up to this agreement commenced in March in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, through discussions between officials from both nations.
Notably, Somalia has emerged as a rapidly expanding export market for Kenya. In fact, data from the Central Bank of Kenya reveals that Nairobi exported goods worth a impressive 64 million U.S. dollars to Somalia within the first five months of this year.
