After a decade, Air India’s return to Nairobi aims to boost trade

November 28, 2019: Marking its return after 10 years to Kenya, Air India has started service from Mumbai to Nairobi with 100 passengers on board, during its inaugural flight. The airline’s return offers a huge opportunity for the two countries which have shared trade and economic ties for many years.

Betty Radier, CEO, Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), said that the return of Air India to Kenya would help to promote tourism, trade, improve relationships and create opportunities between the two countries.

#FlyAI : Jam-Bo Nairobi ! AI961 got a rousing reception at Jomo Kenyatta Int'l Apt.
Rahul Chhabra Indian High Commissioner to Kenya, Alex Gitari MD Kenya Apt Authority and Dr. Betty Addero Radier CEO Kenya Tourism Board received the first flight. pic.twitter.com/I8cMR2mWiU

— Air India (@airindiain) November 27, 2019

"India is one of Kenya's top tourist source markets. Arrivals from India in the year 2018 grew by 51.9 percent to reach 125,032. Kenya is confident of sustained tourist arrivals from India following this arrival." Radier said.

The four-times-a-week non-stop flight will be operated on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays with a 256 seat Boeing 787 in a two-class configuration, business and economy, the airline said in a release.

The airline will offer four direct flights a week, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday with plans to offer additional flights in the pipeline.

Air India will be instrumental in increasing uptake from both Tier I and II city markets of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru; and Kolkata, Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and others, utilising its existing domestic infrastructure network, market knowledge, and presence.

Air India will be the only domestic carrier to operate to Kenya from India- fulfilling a long-felt demand from wildlife enthusiasts, tourists, trading community and professionals for a non-stop air connectivity to Nairobi, the release stated.