KLM to Launch Direct Flights to Mombasa

KLM is set to launch direct flights to Mombasa in October targeting leisure travelers.

The move is part of its plan to strengthen its presence in East Africa. The October 31st launch will come a month after the termination of its Africa-Europe joint venture partnership with Kenya Airways (KQ) on September 1st.

The airline will operate two weekly flights from Amsterdam on Thursdays and Sundays, including a loop to Nairobi from Mombasa.

“The rising number of tourists visiting Mombasa, not just from Europe but also the rest of the world, signifies the growing interest in the unique experiences the coastal city has to offer. KLM comes in to offer a superior and memorable flying experience both for the first time and regular flyers to East Africa from our hub in Amsterdam.”

“Because of positive developments regarding the pandemic in various regions, we see an increasing demand for direct flights,” KLM General Manager for East Africa Arthur Dieffenthaler said.

The launch of the direct flights will give customers on the route more options, thus increasing competition for Kenya Airways.

Last week, Germany’s Lufthansa announced it would start tourist flights to Mombasa on its new leisure carrier Eurowings Discover from July.