Kenyans set to enjoy direct flights to Paris as Air France resumes flights after 18 year absence

Kenya has once again cemented its place as the gateway to the larger Africa.

The country’s strategic location combined with its quality services in the tourism and hospitality industry has over the years worked in favor of Kenya and attracted multi-national companies to the East Africa power house in dozens.

Among them are Airlines companies which have set their base at Jomo Kenyatta International airport operating daily and weekly flights.

French national carrier Air France has announced it will resume flights between Paris and Nairobi from March 2018, after 18-year absence.

Air France which exited the Kenyan airspace in March 2000, made the announcement on Monday, signaling rising travel demand on routes connecting the Kenyan capital to global cities.

“Air France in summer 2018 season plans to resume service to Kenya, as the Skyteam member schedules Paris CDG — Nairobi operation. From 25 March 2018, Boeing 787-9 aircraft will operate this route three times a week. Reservation for this route opened late last week,” the company said in a notice.

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Previously travelers wishing to fly to the French capital had to board several planes as the airline depended on code-shared flight agreement it had with its partners for the Nairobi route.

Air France is a subsidiary of the Air France–KLM Group and a founding member of the Skyteam global airline alliance.

Kenya’s burgeoning middle-class have become more and more adventurous over the years, embracing globe-trotting and crossing off world’s capital from their bucket list as one of their favorite past time activity.

That combined with Kenya’s hosting several multinational companies and organizations such as the World Bank and United Nations has seen passenger demand shoot through the roof in recent years.

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This has forced international airlines to rethink their African strategy and slowly land back in Africa’s capitals.

German airline, Lufthansa two years ago resumed direct passenger flights to Nairobi after 18 years of absence.

India’s national carrier, Air India, has also announced plans to resume its flights to Nairobi later this year, seven years after it withdrew from the route.

Last week, Dutch-based charter airline TUI Netherlands said it is set to resume operations to Mombasa in November, three years after it suspended the service due to insecurity.